MBA FT 2021-2023

Business Ethics
And
Corporate Social Responsibility
Assignment-1
Concept Paper: Euthanasia

Submitted to- Prof. Trilok Sharma

Submitted by- Tanuj Bohra
Roll no- 211149
Division – B
Submission Date- 21st August 2021
Euthanasia meaning-
Euthanasia is the summation of two Greek words- Eu which means good and Thanatos
meaning death. Thus, broadly euthanasia can be referred to as a good death. Euthanasia is
also referred to as a painless killer or mercy killer. The above definition is just a broad
definition, there are various aspects to it. The key aspects are-

1. Painless killer –
The method that is used for killing the person should be the gentlest and as painless as it can
be. This is an important aspect as euthanasia is being referred to as a painless killer.

2. Suffering –
The presence of suffering on the end of the receiver of euthanasia must be there. The person
should be suffering from some incurable and extremely painful disease or irreversible coma
or high chances of developing deadly diseases if born in case of not yet born baby or any
other extreme situation where killing or death of the person will be in better good of that
person. Usage of euthanasia in the absence of suffering may amount to suicide or murder.

3. Intentionality or Motive –
There must be an intention behind the killing of a person. It should not be accidental or
incidental. The motive behind the killing of a person using euthanasia should be the good of
the person killed. The killing should be in the best interest of the person and should be the
best available option to stop the plight of the person. If the intention behind the killing is mala
fide and not in the interest of the patient then it may be regarded as murder.

4. Consent-
There must be the consent of either the person who wants to end his life or the kin or
representative of the person if in case that person is not in a position to take a decision on his
behalf. In both cases, legal approval should also be taken as still euthanasia is not legal in
most countries. Also, in the countries where it is legal various legal restrictions are there on
its usage.

5. Parties involved-
At least two parties should be there, one the facilitator (Doctor) and the other person who
wants to terminate his life to end his incurable plight. The action of killing should be done by
the facilitator (Doctor) and the action should be targeted towards the patient who wants to get
killed, in good faith. If the patient kills himself or herself then that will amount to suicide.
And even if the patient takes a prescription from a doctor for some lethal drug to kill oneself
but the doctor is not involved in the administration process of that drug then that would
amount to physician assisted suicide. In assisted suicide doctor or a person just provide the
means to die to another person. However, in the case of euthanasia doctor himself administers
or inject the patient with some lethal drug in case of active euthanasia or withholds the
patient’s treatment in case of passive euthanasia.

All these factors must be there for a killing to be qualified as euthanasia or mercy killing. The
absence of any of these factors would change the whole meaning and can count to murder or
suicide or assisted suicide. Absence of consent, suffering or good interest can amount to
murder.
Types of euthanasia –
Euthanasia can be broadly classified as –

1. Voluntary Euthanasia-
When euthanasia is performed with the full consent of the patient or the patient in his/her full
consciousness declares to end his/her life, then such a practice is being referred to as
voluntary euthanasia.

2. Non-voluntary Euthanasia-
When the patient is not in a position to decide his/her good or is not stable to take a decision
and the decision is taken by the legal guardian or kin of the patient, then euthanasia is
performed then it is non-voluntary euthanasia. For e.g., If a person is in an irreversible coma
or a decision has to be taken about a pre-born baby with an incurable disease, then the
decision cannot be taken by the person on whom the euthanasia will be performed. In such
cases, the kin or guardian of the patient takes a decision and is regarded as non-voluntary
euthanasia.

3. Involuntary Euthanasia-
When euthanasia is forced upon someone without the consent of the patient especially when
the patient is in a position to give consent, it is referred to as involuntary euthanasia. Such an
act may amount to murder charges.

4. Active and Passive Euthanasia-

When some lethal substance is being injected or administered to the patient with the clear
intention of ending the life of the person, it is referred to as active euthanasia.
When the doctor or physician withholds or stops giving treatment to the patient which is
necessary for the survival of the patient, it is referred to as passive euthanasia. The end result
of both active and passive euthanasia is the same, however, the former one is not legal in
most countries and the latter is legal with certain restrictions on its usage in some countries.
Active euthanasia is less painful as compared to a passive one.

Legal status –
The practice of euthanasia is still restricted in most countries. However, with the growing
belief that the quality and dignity of life is more important than the quantity of life or the no
of years of life, some countries have started uplifting restrictions on the practice of
euthanasia.
In countries like Belgium, Canada, Columbia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, and
Spain active voluntary euthanasia has been made legal. In countries like India, parts of
Australia, and America passive euthanasia has been made legal. In remaining most of the
country’s euthanasia is illegal or the legal status is not defined.
Current status of euthanasia around the world:
Active voluntary euthanasia is legal
Passive euthanasia is legal (rejection of the treatment)
Euthanasia is illegal
Euthanasia status unknown

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Legality_of_euthanasia.svg/52
5px-Legality_of_euthanasia.svg.png

Religious Views-
1. Christianity-
Christianity beliefs that life is a gift of God and we(humans) have no right on interfering in
the process of birth and death. God decides the birth, death, and life cycle of a person. The
practice of euthanasia hastens the death of a person and thus interferes in the process of birth
and death decided by God. Life is very valuable and no human being has the right to kill
someone even for the good of that person.
Thus, Christianity is strongly against the practice of euthanasia.

2. Judaism-
In Judaism too the practice of euthanasia has been condemned as the religion beliefs that life
is the gift of God and he is the sole decider of the term of life of a person. Any intervention in
the birth and death of a person by another human being or by even himself has been
condemned in Judaism.
According to Judaism human life is end in itself and no intervention should be made in the
life cycle of a person even to alleviate him/her from extreme pain. Even individual consent is
being kept secondary to the sanctity of life. Thus, euthanasia has been highly condemned in
Judaism even if individual consent is there.

3. Islam-
As per Islam, there is no such life that is not worth living. Any excuse to terminate life is not
acceptable in Islam. According to the Prophet Mohammad suicide is highly condemned and
closes the door of paradise for human beings. Euthanasia is also considered a kind of suicide.
Patience and endurance are highly regarded in Islam and those who strongly persevere and
don’t give up upon life are rewarded without measure according to Islam. Ending one’s life
for escaping the incurable suffering is regarded as opening the doors of hell for oneself. Thus,
euthanasia is condemned in Islam. When pains and suffering increase too much the spiritual
dimension can be very helpful in alleviating the pains of a person, according to Islam.

4. Buddhism-
In Buddhism, there are many views related to euthanasia.
In Buddhism great importance is being given to compassion. So certain Buddhists believe
that ending a life of a person suffering from extreme pain is not wrong keeping compassion in
their mind towards that person. It is right as the person would be relieved from the extreme
pain. Thus, euthanasia is correct from this perspective to certain Buddhist people.
However, there is another perspective to it also. According to Buddhist culture, any action
that aims to destroy human life is not right. Certain Buddhist keep this principle above the
compassion principle and consider killing even for alleviating the sufferings of a person as
not right. Thus, euthanasia is wrong according to this perspective.
Thus, the response and belief of Buddhist people regarding euthanasia is mixed and no clear
belief is there.

5. Hinduism –
Hinduism too has dual views on euthanasia. One belief is that by using euthanasia a person is
freed from extreme pain and suffering which is making a person die every day. So according
to this view euthanasia is right as a noble deed of ending the suffering of a person is being
done.
However, there is another perspective to it also. In Hinduism, a lot of importance has been
given to karmas. It is considered that the death and birth of a person are fixed and the
sufferings of a person are because of the karmas of the person. Once the outcomes of the bad
karmas get over the suffering of a person stops automatically. And also, if someone tries to
end the life of a person by using euthanasia or any other means he/she is disturbing the cycle
of birth and death and the karmas of the person who dies has then to be faced by the person
who is killing the other person. So according to this perspective of Hinduism euthanasia has
been considered wrong.

6. Jainism-
Jainism is well known for its principle of non-violence. In Jainism voluntary death that is also
referred to as Santhara or Samadhi-Marana is being practiced and is recommended for both
ascetics and sravakas (householders). Santhara or Samadhi-Marana means fast until death. A
person is allowed to observe fast until death or Santhara if certain conditions are fulfilled.
Santhara is taken in full consciousness of a person and thus not considered as suicide. While
observing Santhara a person gives up all his desires. He neither has a desire to live nor does
has a desire to die.
From this, we can conclude that passive euthanasia is being recognized by Jainism where a
person can give up all his treatments and can wait for death to come.

Arguments given by the supporters of Euthanasia-

1. Independence-
Every person has a right to decide the course of his/her life. A patient has the right and
autonomy to decide whether he wants to end his life of suffering or want to continue with it.
Euthanasia is an easy and painless option in the hand of a patient to decide the fate of his/her
life and should not be snatched from him/her.
 2. Humane-
Sometimes the situation of a patient is so worse that it is humane to follow euthanasia and
assist the patient in ending his life. Also, it is good for society in large as scarce and critical
organs can be taken from such patients, and life of other people can be saved.

3. The good side of active euthanasia-

The end result of both active and passive euthanasia is the same. However, the latter one is
much more painful than the former. If legal recognition can be given to passive euthanasia it
can also be given to active euthanasia as passive one just stretches the process and make it
more painful and the end result of both are the same.

Arguments given by the opponents of euthanasia-

1. Commercialization of medical services –
Even today passive euthanasia is practiced in many hospitals. The patients who belong to
poor families or are financially not in a position to pay their medical bills are being left to die
by the hospitals or the poor withdraw them from hospitals due to incapacity to bear the
expenses of hospitals. If active euthanasia would be legalized then the doctors will start
charging for easy death of the people too and make a business out of the death of a person
too.
The countries which have legalized active voluntary euthanasia are being referred to as
promoters of suicide tourism.

2. Voluntary decision to die may be biased –

Even if the patient is in full consciousness, his decision to end his life may be biased. The
patient may be getting indications from the doctors or the care staff or the family members
about the futility of the treatment. These indications might influence the patient and he may
take the decision to end his life. Though it would be considered a voluntary decision,
however, a major influence would be there of doctors and family members. Thus, euthanasia
can be used for wrong purposes.

3. Care vs cure –
For the majority of diseases, the outcome is seen in terms of cure however there are certain
diseases where there is no cure and care is the only last option. Here the question is not about
curing the disease and increasing the life of the person but about bringing life to the years
remaining with the person. If euthanasia is legalized these people can be influenced to select
it in place of care citing various reasons and thus inappropriate use of euthanasia can be done.
Also, when a person is suffering from an incurable disease the person generally becomes
frustrated and depressed due to which he might take extreme steps like suicide or euthanasia.
Here rehab and care centres are more required to bring life to the remaining years of the
person and to keep him motivated. Thus, emphasis should be on care rather than euthanasia.

4. Ideal world –
One of the arguments given by the opponents of euthanasia is that we don’t live in an ideal
world. We live in a world which is full of people with selfish motives. If euthanasia would be
legalized then the patient can be forced by the family, doctors, or nurses for their individual
benefits. Also, the caring attitude of people will slowly start to fade. Palliative care is very
expensive and the cost keeps on increasing with the increasing life of the person and also the
complexities increase. Availability of option of euthanasia will slowly change the attitude of
people and they would start preferring euthanasia over care. Thus, moral degradation of
society would take place.

Conclusion-
Having understood the meaning, the arguments in favour and against of euthanasia, religious
beliefs regarding euthanasia, the question arises whether to legalize euthanasia or not.
Euthanasia is a very complex issue. Seeing the deadly situation of certain patients with
incurable diseases will make one think in favour of legalizing euthanasia. However, thinking
of the inappropriate usage that can be done once euthanasia gets legalized makes one think of
keeping it unapproved. In my opinion, a universal framework is required to be made on the
practice of euthanasia. Certain laws are required to be made in this regard. Seeing the
importance of euthanasia for critically ill people with incurable diseases, one thinks that
active euthanasia should be legalized. However, a number of restrictions should be there to
stop its misuse. Also, a universal plan of action should be framed that needs to be followed
by the patient or the kin in order to use euthanasia. This process should be very stringent and
should include various ways to determine whether euthanasia is actually required or not.
Also, strict punishment should be given in case of mala fide use of euthanasia. Strict
punishment like cancellation of doctor’s license and murder charges on the doctor or the
person who invoked euthanasia should be there in order to avoid mala fide use of euthanasia.
References
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and Euthanasia. Ethics & Medicine: An International
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August 20, 2021.
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DeTemple N. Palliative Sedation: Masked Euthanasia or

Compassionate Care for the Dying? Penn Bioethics
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Kelly M. Euthanasia and the Sacred. Australasian Catholic

Record. 2020;97(1):74-81. Accessed August 20, 2021.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia

THANK YOU!