Citation

Sahm S. Onkologe 2020; 26(5): 443-448.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020)

DOI

10.1007/s00761-020-00750-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In Germany, a law that prohibits business-like assistance with suicide was recently repealed by the constitutional court. To preserve the integrity of the medical profession, it is essential to establish a sound ethical position on physician assisted suicide (PAS) from the professional perspective. Ethical analysis: The normative classification of PAS must be based on a clear-cut description of medical acts at the end of life. Concepts have to be judged against the background of a palliative culture which respects the limits of the duty to give treatment to patients with advanced and terminal diseases. The appropriate attitude of a free and solidary society with respect to suicide is to refrain from moral judgment. At the same time the axiom that characterizes any solidary society and which is the foundation of human rights forbids the promotion of suicide. Hence, the undisputed right to self-determination and the presence of severe medical conditions cannot justify PAS. Moreover, medical criteria for establishing the existence of an unbearable state of suffering that would make it preferable to shorten life do not exist. Likewise, arguments in favor of PAS grounded in medical practice do not prove to be sustainable as empirical research shows the opposite. Research adduces evidence that offering PAS leads to substantial increase in the rate of suicides.

CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding future legal regulation in Germany rejection of PAS by the medical community is found to be an act of hazard prevention that is in accordance with established principles of professional ethics and respective guidelines of the World Medical Association. Hence, it is held appropriate to maintain current rejection of PAS in professional ethical codes. Refusal of PAS does not interfere with palliative care. © 2020, Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.

Language: de

Keywords

human rights; human; Review; morality; assisted suicide; medical ethics; Palliative care; physician; medical practice; terminal disease; patient attitude; cultural anthropology; Human rights; Medical societies; Patients´s self-determination; Professional ethics