Serrano, Alyssa Marie C.

19-1527

Resolve below case by applying the most appropriate moral principle: 

A patient with advances terminal cancer is suffering from seemingly unbearable pain and is
irreversibly dying. Sooner or later, the patient asks the physician to give him lethal injection in
order to die early and get rid of the pain which he feels to have undermined his sense of
humanity. Since the patient is irrevocably dying and is asking for it, the doctor gives him a lethal
shot.

For me the most appropriate moral principle for the scenario will be the principle of
non-maleficence which is “do no harm”. Non-maleficence is the obligation of any
healthcare provider not to harm the patient. This stated principle supports several
moral rules – do not kill, do not cause pain or suffering, do not incapacitate, do not
cause offense, and do not deprive others of the goods of life. As healthcare providers
should be respectful and caring when it comes to any patients’ requests. For the
patient’s request in the scenario, he wanted to have an assisted death considering his
condition, but as a healthcare provider, the physician should have weigh and explore
the patient’s request. The physician should also consider the patients degree of
understanding with his current condition, and the healthcare provider should give the
proper intervention to at least alleviate the patient’s unbearable pain. A physician’s
obligation and intention to relieve the suffering (e.g., refractory pain or dyspnea) of a
patient by the use of appropriate drugs including opioids override the foreseen but
unintended harmful effects or outcome (doctrine of double effect) (Varkey, 2020). And
according to ethical standards, physicians cannot administer lethal injection even if their
intent is to provide comfort to the patient or if it requested by the patient himself.

In addition, the principle of beneficence can also be considered in the scenario, as

healthcare provider must do no harm, they “do good” to the patient, again this is to
alleviate the suffering or the pain that the patient feels. There are interventions where
healthcare provider does counsel to the patient to divert his decision to end his life,
therapeutic interventions like comforting him, giving psychological support, let him feel
love by the people around him like his family and friends, providing spiritual support by
letting him meet a pastor or priest for his spiritual counselling, and just by being there,
holding his hand to comfort and alleviate the pain.

Though we must still respect the patients right and autonomy, if the patient is still
persistent in asking for assisted death, there should be an informed consent signed as
part of the legality of the procedure done. It is necessary to have informed consent in
any process or procedure that will secure the healthcare providers professional and
ethical legalities.

Reference:

Varkey, B. (2020, June 04). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice.
Retrieved April 12, 2021, from https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/509119