ISSN: 2691-5774
Authors: Szaniszlo IMV*
Number of so-called apallic patients in the world continues to grow, and this brings not only economic, social but also ethical dilemmas to all who are concerned. This study presents ethical aspects, and arguments for finding appropriate ways to take care of the dying, and in dealing with ethical dilemmas that may occur in palliative care. Such dilemmas concern issues like artificial nutrition and hydration, pain-relief (i.e. the use of opiates), chemotherapy, experimental treatments, ventilation, and the resuscitation of a patient. Here, in particular, we will analyse questions concerning artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) of patients in a persistent vegetative state (PVS), which constitutes one of the most complex ethical issues in palliative care. We intend to clarify the question, if administration of artificial nutrition and hydration is only a mechanical prolongation of human life and under which circumstance is ethically imperative. After this rapprochement we present a Christian perspective on the duty to preserve a human life. Christian anthropology shows that humans are made in the image of God, which brings people also to their responsibility to care about the lives of others, especially those who are unable to take care of themselves. This responsibility not only rests not upon physicians, but on all of us.
Keywords: Embodiment; End-of-Life Care; Prolonging Life; Human Dignity; Ethical Decisions
