Anecito, Mark Nelson P.

Cruz, Ezequiel Timothy G.- ppt

De Guzman, Marcel Carlitos
Espiritu, Kaye
Francisco, Shiejiro Conroe

Case Analysis:

The Troubled 29-Year-Old Helped to Die by Dutch Doctors

The Case
What is the case about?

Euthanasia in the Netherlands is legal under certain conditions:

1. “unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement”
2. "no reasonable alternative in the patient's situation".

In 2017, the Netherlands had 6,585 deaths from euthanasia of physical disease and 83
of psychiatric suffering. In Aurelia Browers' case, she drank the medication herself, and
was not administered by a doctor. Her loved ones assembled in her bedroom with two
medics in attendance. During her last conversation with Sander Paulus, as documented
by RTL Nieuws, Aurelia stated that she has no doubts and that she is ready to go on a
journey as she holds the medicine bottle.

Who are the people involved?

The primary individuals involved in this case are the 29-year-old person who sought
euthanasia and the Dutch doctors who assisted in the process.

What is the context or premise?

The context of this case is that the 29-year-old individual was suffering from mental
health issues and sought euthanasia as a solution. However, this case is unique
because the individual was relatively young and had mental health issues, which are
less commonly accepted reasons for euthanasia.

Her request for euthanasia was not endorsed by the doctors which is why she applied to
Levenseindekliniek - the End of Life Clinic - in The Hague. It is the resorting place for
patients when their application for euthanasia is declined by their psychiatrist or GP.
Approval of psychiatric euthanasia takes years to process and only about 10% of it is
approved.

Arguments
Dr. Kit Vanmechelen Dr. Frank Koerselman

He stated that some people on psychiatric He argued that people with psychiatric
grounds who are not approved for disorders can live for decades.
euthanasia end up in suicide and they
should be regarded with terminal illness. "My whole career I worked with suicidal
patients - none of them was terminal. Of
"I've treated patients that I knew were course I had patients who committed
going to commit suicide," suicide, but as a matter of fact these were
always cases when you didn't expect it."
"I knew. They told me, I felt it, and I
thought, 'I can't help you.' So to have "They're not treatable like an infection,
euthanasia as an alternative makes me they're like diabetes - you've got the
very grateful we have a law. The ones I disease, you will have it the rest of your
know will commit suicide are terminal in life, but we, as doctors, are going to make
my opinion. And I don't want to abandon it possible for you to live with it,"
my patients who are not able to go on
with their lives. That makes me willing to "Like people with diabetes, psychiatric
perform euthanasia." patients are also treated for years, but
this is not an argument to stop treatment.

"It's very well known that after the age of

40 things might go much better for people
with Borderline Personality Disorder -
their symptoms might become much
milder."

During an interview, Aurelia argued that she was competent to make the decision. An
argument arises whether a death wish could have been a symptom of Aurelia’s
psychiatric illness.

Dr. Kit Vanmechelen Dr. Frank Koerselman

“I think you never can be 100% sure of
that, But you must have done everything
to help them diminish the symptoms of
their pathology. In personality disorders a
death wish isn't uncommon. If that is
consistent, and they've had their
personality disorder treatments, it's a
death wish the same as in a cancer
"How could I know - how could anybody
know - that her death wish was not a sign
of her psychiatric disease? The fact that
one can rationalise about it, does not
mean it's not a sign of the disease,"
"It is possible not to be contaminated by
their lack of hope. These patients lost
hope, but you can stay beside them and
give them hope. And you can let them
 patient who says, 'I don't want to go on to know that you will never give up on
the end.” them,"

Ethical issues
What are the ethical issues involved in the case?

The ethical issues involved in this case revolve around the concept of euthanasia,
particularly in relation to mental health. Some of the key ethical questions include:

● Is it ethical to end a life due to mental health issues?

● How can we ensure that the decision to end a life is truly voluntary and not
influenced by external factors?
● What are the implications of this case for the broader understanding and
application of euthanasia?

Why is it considered an ethical issue?

This case is considered an ethical issue because it challenges the boundaries of what is
considered acceptable in terms of euthanasia. It raises questions about the value of life,
the role of doctors in ending life, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals in
making such decisions

What were the documented effects of the case to the general public?

The case sparked widespread debate and discussion in the Netherlands and beyond. It
led to increased scrutiny of the country's euthanasia laws and practices, particularly in
relation to mental health and age. It also highlighted the complexities and challenges of
making decisions about life and death.

What is the lasting influence of the case? (Eg: amended law, created
movements..)
The lasting influence of this case is still being determined. However, it has already led to
calls for stricter guidelines and more rigorous oversight of euthanasia cases involving
mental health and young people. It has also contributed to ongoing discussions about
the ethics of euthanasia and the role of doctors in end-of-life decisions.

Conclusion

The case showcases a complex ethical dilemma on how to properly make decisions in
end-of-life choices especially in this one where mental illness is being considered. In
this issue of euthanasia, there are multiple issues such as autonomy and the right to
self-determination. They made a conscious decision to end their life. This goes against
euthanasias limitations which is to end a life to limit its suffering, but in this case mental
health is being considered and not a terminal illness.

References

Pressly, L. (2018, August 8). The troubled 29-year-old helped to die by Dutch doctors.

BBC. Retrieved April 20, 2024, from https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-45117163