Bioethics 5b – Wi-Phi

2. Jack’s doctor, Tina, has a colleague named Andrew. Andrew believes not only that Jack’s request for euthanasia is genuinely autonomous but also that, given Jack’s particular circumstances, he’s probably right that dying a quick death now would be in his overall best interest. Andrew also believes that the method of euthanasia that Jack has requested—being injected by Tina with a dose of lethal drugs—is itself an ethically acceptable way of ending a person’s life. Given all this (and considering the discussion in the video), what’s the most likely reason that Andrew nevertheless believes Tina ought to be prohibited from fulfilling Jack’s request?

Andrew might find it suspicious that Tina keeps getting patients who end up requesting her help in dying. He might therefore want the hospital to prohibit her from carrying out any more of these requests until they’ve done a thorough investigation of the matter.

Andrew might believe that Jack is too overcome by pain and depression to understand the implications of his request.

Andrew might believe that allowing euthanasia for Jack would send the message that life is not worth living for any patient in similar circumstances. This could lead to some giving up on life (or being given up on) even when euthanasia in their case is actually against their best interest.

Andrew might know about some terrible things that Jack has done over his lifetime, including to people that Andrew cares about deeply. He might therefore hate Jack and want him to suffer as much as possible before he dies.

Correct! Wrong!