Should refusing medical treatment be considered voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 1

Euthanasia supposedly comes in two varieties:
active or direct (you kill someone)
or
passive or indirect (you allow someone to die).

Euthanasia really boils down to the active type.

So we'd have to look at what you mean by refusing "medical treatment." At some point, a patient may make a decision which WILL hasten his death, but it is NOT because he's suicidal. A friend of mine was very disappointed by a young cousin's decision, which will serve to illustrate the point. Her cousin was about 23 as I recall and he had a recurrence of melanoma, skin cancer. It had metastasized, which means, statistically speaking, that his odds of long-term survival was less than 10%. The first time he'd had melanoma he took treatment and faught to live--but the treatment was very hard on him. His family was disappointed to learn he did not want to fight again. He said that his quality of life was more important to him than the quantity. Given the odds were poor no matter what, he wanted to have the best quality of life he could for the time he had left. I can understand that. If I knew and loved that person, it would break my heart, but sometimes there is nothing we can REALLY do.
I can not see any logical justification for second-guessing that young man's decision and I see NO evidence of suicidal behavior in his choice. IF the odds were reversed, and he had a 90% chance at living, perhaps even being cured, then his decision would seem insane indeed.

So the far more practical definition of euthanasia is: it will kill you. If you give Jack Kevorkian's 3 shots the person dies. Letting nature take its course doesn't seem to qualify as euthanasia.

Answer 2

Most Christians are opposed to euthanasia. Some Christians accept that passive euthanasia is acceptable under certain conditions. A few Christians will accept active euthanasia on the grounds of compassion and love. Why are Christians opposed to euthanasia? 1. Human life is a gift from God, only God can take it away. The timing of death should be left to God. 2. In the Bible (1 Corinthians 3:16) St Paul says that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This means that the body is holy and should not be destroyed for any reason. 3. Christians believe in life after death. Because of this they do not accept that ending life prematurely is reasonable. Suffering may be serving some purpose. 4. Most Christians are convinced of the importance of the final stages of life for the dying person and family alike. The Hospice Movement seeks to provide a peaceful and comfortable environment for people to die in. Roman Catholics are opposed to all forms of euthanasia. But, the overriding belief of Christians (following the example of Jesus) could be that an attitude of selfless love towards others is their prime duty. Many Christians will feel compassion for the terminally ill, and support their efforts in trying to achieve a ‘happier death’. Muslims believe that all human life is a gift from Allah, and is therefore sacred. Once a life has been given, no human has the right to end it. Muslims must live as if every day may be their last. Every life has an allotted time set by Allah. When they die they will face Allah and answer for all the things they have done. ‘Allah fixes the time span for all things... It is he who causes people to die and be born.’ (surah 17:33) ‘When your time expires, you will not be able to delay the reckoning for a single hour, just as you cannot bring it forward by a single hour.’ (surah 16:61) ‘The knowledge of the final hour is with Allah; none but he can reveal when it will occur...All of a sudden it will come to you.’ (surah 7:187) Muslims reject the idea of euthanasia, they regard each soul as being perfect, even if the body that the soul is in is not perfect. Everything will be revealed on the day of judgement. Muslims are urged to trust in Allah and to bear suffering rather than seek a quick release through suicide or euthanasia.

Answer 3

If you refuse treatment for yourself, it could be a question of suicide. A patient of sound mind has a right to refuse treatment. A doctor or nurse can even be charged with assault and battery for forcing treatment on someone.

A lot of things need to be considered. Is there a good chance of improvement or survival? What are the potential risks and benefits of the treatment.

Compare a 23 year old diagnosed with a terminal illness and a prognosis of an active life for another 10 - 20 years, and an 84 year old who has battled a debilitating painful disease for 20 years and who decides to let nature take its course.

These are things that should be discussed with patient, physician, family, religious/spiritual adviser, and maybe more.

Answer 4

a DNR order is the same as voluntary euthanasia
so refusing medical treatment should be too.

the act or practice of killing or PERMITTING the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy
— eu·tha·na·sic \-zik, -sik\ adject

since the act of euthanasia is illegal in 49 states none of these medical decisions can be legally refered to as euthanasia and so to answer the question yes it should be considered euthanasia but it should not be called that.

Answer 5

no - euthanasia is actively causing death rather than passively allowing it to happen. Its a slim difference, but is crucial.