On June 16, 2022, the "Assistance and Dignity Act" was proposed. The reason for the proposal of this bill is that, in a recent public opinion poll (1,000 adults), 76.3% supported euthanasia because of increased interest in 'death with dignity. They are trying to promote the right to self-determination that allows one to end their life with the assistance of the doctor in charge.
First of all, the law presupposes that euthanasia is a 'death with dignity. In the Declaration on Euthanasia (1980) published by the Pontifical Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, euthanasia refers to 'the act or omission which in its nature or intent causes death intending to eliminate all suffering'. In other words, euthanasia intentionally induces death by directly administering a poison or stopping the supply of water and nutrients essential to sustain life. Direct or indirect, irrespective of the act, aimed at the death of the patient.
In addition, ending one's life with the help of a doctor is called "doctor-assisted suicide." Unlike general suicide, the only means of suicide is to be provided by a doctor, so it is called doctor-assisted suicide by combining 'physician assistance' and 'suicide'.
This act of purpose for death, from euthanasia to doctor-assisted suicide, we call murder. But why is it called 'death with dignity? Euthanasia is the cessation of a drug or life-sustaining action with the intention of a third person to kill the patient.
In other words, doctors believe that doctors should assist patients' demands for self-control and control over their own lives through the right to self-determination, and this is regarded as the realization of human dignity. Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are absolutely unacceptable acts confusing murder with dignity.
In 2018, Australian ecologist Goodall committed assisted suicide in Switzerland because life was no longer enjoyable. This led the poll participants to a practical understanding of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and the survey period (March-April 2021) was a depressing time for all citizens due to the pandemic. In addition, they are in favor of euthanasia for reasons such as the meaninglessness of the rest of life (30.8%), the right to a good (dignified) death (26.0%), and alleviation of pain (20.6%).
This requires very careful reflection. Many people in our society have lost meaning for life. This is already proven by the high suicide rate, which is a very serious situation. Also, there is a widespread misconception about what one means by a good (dignified) death.
Professor Yoon Young-ho of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital, who led this poll, points out that patients should first look at the situation in which they want to be euthanized. In other words, medical measures to reduce the physical and mental pain of patients or support for medical expenses, and efforts to make the rest of their lives meaningful are needed first. This is because reaching the end of life with dignity is not something that can be obtained by hastening death, but is only possible when you accompany the patient with human warmth until the end.
