Patient's autonomy, physician's convictions and euthanasia in Belgium

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show the inherent contradiction in the Belgian euthanasia practice. While stressing patient’s autonomy, medical professionals exhibit paternalism in deciding the patient’s fate. First, background information is provided. Then the 2014 Belgian Society of Intensive Care Medicine Council Statement Paper will be considered. Concerns are voiced about euthanizing people who fail to find meaning in their lives, including those who underwent unsuccessful sex-change operation and blind people, euthanizing patients who did not give their consent, and euthanizing people with dementia. Finally, some suggestions designed to improve the situation are offered.

Citation

Cohen-Almagor, R. (2016). Patient's autonomy, physician's convictions and euthanasia in Belgium. Jahrbuch für Recht und Ethik / Annual Review of Law and Ethics, 24, 343-356

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 23, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 29, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jan 20, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 10, 2018
• Journal: Annual review of law and ethics
• Print ISSN: 0944 4610
• Publisher: Duncker & Humblot
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Pages: 343-356
• Keywords: Euthanasia, Belgium
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/447331
• Publisher URL: https://www.rewi.europa-uni.de/de/lehrstuhl/sr/intstrafrecht/_projekte/jre/jre_2016/index.html
• Additional Information: This is a description of an article accepted for publication in: Annual review of laws and ethics, 2016, v.24.