기독교 생명윤리적 관점에서 본 존엄사

Abstract

Developed medicine and treatment extend human life and retain death of patient. If we use this treatment we can recover the impossible patient in the past and we can prolong the unnatural death of the patient. Therefore we face various ethical problems about death with dignity. In this paper, I criticise several problems of death with dignity and seek solutions from the perspective of the christian bioethics. And I propose the proper practical solution about death with dignity. Death with dignity means to die with dignity, that is a humane death. This is not a new idea apart from euthanasia but very similar with it. We use death with dignity on purpose to separate from the negative image of euthanasia. And also we reveal the positive image of it to respect the autonomy of the patient. According to the principle of autonomy, we should respect the opinion of the irrecoverable patient long term will to die with no pain. And when we judge patient's quality of life we could agree with his death. Instead of meaningless treatment that will merely extend the pain through to death, we can allow him to die. We can regard this as a act of mercy because we reduce his pain and guide to his death with dignity. But autonomous human's right only could be justified to realize for the more valuable of dignity of life. The value of life has priority over quality of life. The solution for patient's pain is not legalization of death with dignity but care and concern for patient by using pain-killers. Therefore we should have a responsible attitude for life based on biocracy. Nevertheless, if there is a serious patient who suffers terrible pain with a coma situation, and special medical treatment for him not only increases his pain but also sustains his dying and dehumanizes him, it may be right to withdraw all special medical treatment and allow to let him die naturally. At that time, we must provide food, water, air like a natural treatment, and give a clean environment and respect him by continual care and communication with him. This is an appropriate steward's attitude towards life.