연명치료 중단에 관한 법 시행을 앞둔 윤리적 논쟁점과 방향제시 -2018년 웰다잉법 시행, 한국사회와 교회의 역할을 중심으로-

Abstract

Some of European countries are introducing a legalization of death with dignity. In line with recent trend, ‘Well-Dying Act’ (so called “withdraw Life-Sustaining Treatment Law”) is at hand for taking effect. Despite the legal procedure goes to the last stage, ethical debate of well-dying is still on pros-and-cons. Withdraw life-sustaining treatment accelerates intense argument between two extremes. While the extreme is that nothing can come first than human life so it never be a mean to replace it, self decision-making of life which is a recognition of basic right to embrace an euthanasia by self approval. As of 2018, the Well-dying law is supposed shortly to be effective. If it freely allows a right to die, human dignity is likely to be seriously damaged. In this context, Christian churches and their theology should have unified ‘one voice.’ Human body has an unity between physical body and the soul within, which is beyond mere biological value. The Bible says human body is a subject to experience God’s presence, and a holy temple where the spirit of God dwells inside. For this reason, artificial curtail of human life is so fatal in terms of making a serious damage on life itself and its creator as well. When the human dignity is deadly impaired, our existence will also loose the essential purpose of life. Human dignity is no longer a matter of spontaneous choice, but the ultimate value of being to maintain everything surrounded. Whatever it is for expensive medical fee or any other reason, artificial shortening of life is never be allowed even in the midst of enforcement period of the Law. For this, all the theologians, medical ethicist, and medical scientists in unison need to set an organization like ‘Clinical Ethics Service’ or related social security system to solemnly keep human dignity. The curtail of human life by decision never be happen again whatever it is, at any cost.