Autonomy versus sanctity of life

ABSTRACT

Abstract Over the last fifty years, people have become increasingly concerned that the dying process is, too, often needlessly protected by medical technology and is consequently marked by intolerable pain and dignity. This useless prolongation of life invites a debate called euthanasia i.e. the act of bringing about the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way for reasons of mercy. The autonomy model of clinical decision making is firmly grounded in the dignity of human persons i.e. individuals are at liberty to make their own medical treatment decisions. The notions of individual's rights and autonomy, no doubt, have been gathering strength in our age. But, the patient's autonomy model does not give sufficient attention to the impact of disease on the patient's capacities for autonomy. Medicine should restore the patient's autonomy but autonomy argument does not have any standing in the face of the sanctity of life, which is endorsed by all the major religions of the world