Call for the death of word 'euthanasia'

Washington, March 30 (ANI): The word euthanasia should be used no more as it mixes ideas and values making the debate about dying more complex, according to an editorial in a respected Canadian journal.

The editorial appears in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Dr. Ken Flegel, senior Associate Editor and Dr. Paul Hibert, editor-in-chief, Canadian Medical Association Journal, writes: The end of life debate seems particularly burdened by confusion over the term 'euthanasia'.

"Both sides use it to further their ideological views: one side says murder, the other mercy; the right to live versus the right to die with dignity; selfishness versus compassion."

The term, euthanasia, is derived from Greek and was coined in 1646. It was intended to mean a gentle and easy death.

A nuance was introduced, by 1742, referring to the means of bringing about such a death and, in 1859, to the action of inducing such a death. Modern dictionaries have a variety of definitions, but they all imply the same meaning, an intentional action to bring about death in someone who is suffering.

The authors say: "Euthanasia's broad meaning has inadvertently enveloped a set of actions that also involve the relief of symptoms in dying people.

"For example giving enough narcotic to relieve pain in cancer patients and adding enough sedation to enable comfort and minimize agitation is appropriate and compassionate care, even when the amounts required increase the probability of death. It can be argued that, in such circumstances, death becomes an acceptable side-effect of effective palliation. But, in our view, it is not euthanasia."

The authors conclude: "As physicians, we should promote honest debate; assist in defining actions and terms; avoid further polarizing this important debate with our own values and ideologies, and help educate the public to increase engagement in this very important societal issue.

"Then 'euthanasia' can experience its own gentle death." (ANI)