End of life care : the ethical and legal standpoints of euthanasia and assisted suicide in today’s law

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to study the current legal standpoints dealing with assisted dying in laws across the world and the introduction of such law in Malta. Medical professionals are constantly having to deal with moral issues and they are the ones who have to deal with any legal repercussions should they act in a manner which is not lawful. Sometimes empathizing with their patient could lead to more harm than good. Legally speaking, assisted dying is still considered illegal in many countries. Assisted dying, through active euthanasia or physician assisted suicide, is the act whereby a doctor intentionally ends the life of his patient at the latter’s request. This could be done either through active participation, by administering the lethal drug or passively by prescribing the lethal medication. The main consideration with regard this issue is whether there is this right to choose and if there is, whether it should become legally binding in the state of Malta. In the States of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, amongst others who have limited acceptance to such procedures, one would find that assisted dying is legal and may be administered so long as the patient voluntary makes the request himself. Only through analysis of such laws would one be able to attempt drawing up legislation, which could be considered appropriate to apply within the Maltese legal system.