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KMID : 1025620220250040387
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Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
2022 Volume.25 No. 4 p.387 ~ p.403
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What Is Needed Prior to Respect for Self-determination: Reflections on Physician-assisted Suicide and the Withholding or Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment
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Choi Kyung-Suk
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Abstract
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In this article I review Koh YS’s recent article concerning the legalization of physician-assisted suicide and provide additional support for the arguments he advances. Koh argues against the legalization of physican-assisted suicide and for an extension of the period in which the withhold-ing or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment is carried out following a patient’s request. I claim that the very arguments Koh presents against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide may be arguments against the extension. In particular, the extension presupposes a new social consensus just as the current performance period for withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment was based on the social consensus that existed at the time that legislation was passed. Additionally, I argue that certain safeguards must be established or implemented to respect the right to self-de-termination in our society. For example, the monitoring and service of end-of-life care must be enhanced in order to prevent any coercion or abuse in individual decisions on life-sustaining treat-ment.
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KEYWORD
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physician-assisted suicide, withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment, respect for self-determination, legalization, coerced decision, service of end-of-life care
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