What is euthanasia? The curious case of Martha Sepúlveda
Euthanasia is a controversial practice internationally, almost on the level of abortion. Few media cases have been documented around the world, Martha Sepúlveda being one of them.
Sepúlveda, a native of Colombia, was able to fulfill her wish for assisted death. Suffering from a non-terminal but highly disabling illness, he won the legal battle behind the case. But what is euthanasia?
What is euthanasia about?
The etymology of the word euthanasia comes from two origins. The first of these is the Latin euthanasia and from it derives the ancient Greek euthanasia, with an accent. When translating its meaning, it refers to "good death" or a "peaceful death".
Broadly, the term has been redefined and addressed by many agencies. In particular, the World Health Organization (WHO), postulates that it is "any action of the doctor that deliberately causes the death of a patient."
However, it falls short of expressing what this procedure really means.
While it is the provocation of a deliberate death, it must be executed under certain conditions. They are basically the wish of the patient with a terminal or disabling illness.
Of course, it is also an autonomous decision based on reflection, understanding and awareness of health status. Otherwise, the same individual must or should have made express his wish in a testimony endorsed by the law.
What conditions are required by those who approve it?
Euthanasia is not just anything; even if the patient is in his right, first he needs to meet prerequisites. Otherwise, the State is in its duty to deny the request.
The patient is the one who must express the desire for a dignified death. Failing that, clarify it in a vital testimony that is legalized. In short, no family member, partner, spouse or third party in general, will be able to make the decision.
Euthanasia is practiced as a last resort when the treating disease has been proven to be terminal or disabling. Added to the reflection and consent of the patient, are the two key moral and ethical aspects.
Some countries like Canada urge the application of the procedure 10 days before its execution. In order to analyze the case in depth, it is determined whether all the basic notions are met.
It is strictly carried out by two specialized doctors and in knowledge of the patient's disease. Other scenarios allow witnessing with two close people.
Martha Sepúlveda, one of the few media cases
Colombia is one of the few countries in the world that considers euthanasia as a legal area. Recently, this nation was involved in controversy due to the case of Martha Sepúlveda.
Sepúlveda was a Colombian woman from Antioquia who underwent assisted death on Saturday, January 8. At 51 years of age, he became the second case of euthanasia for non-terminal illness, but with a firm desire to obtain a "dignified death".
The Antioqueña had been suffering from a serious and disabling disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Commonly, it is abbreviated by its acronym ELA, being recognized worldwide for the sequelae associated with its progress.
ALS is a degenerative disorder of neurological origin that compromises the proper function of neurons. The main medical complications are the gradual loss of motor power and basic skills such as walking.
Well explained, it refers to a disease that attacks the so-called "motor neurons". Cells specialized in neuromuscular development and that, without their guidance, a slow motor paralysis occurs. In its most serious stages and without proper treatment, it can be fatal.
Sepúlveda's wish transcended the legal field
Colombia approved the practice of euthanasia in 1997, but it was not until 2015 that its formal use began. Since then, the country has accounted for just over 90 cases that have been satisfactorily completed from that year to the present.
The reason for its delay despite its legal character was overlaid by factors of logistics, morality and social barriers. However, from the beginning, Martha Sepúlveda was adamant about what she wanted for her life.
"On the spiritual level I am calm. Maybe I am a coward, but I am tired; I do not want to suffer anymore. I struggle to rest." — The 51-year-old woman commented to Noticias Caracol.
Initially, the assisted death session was scheduled for last October 2021. Moments before its completion, he was stopped by positive updates on his state of health. In the studies carried out, the "terminality" of the disease was refuted.
After months of appeal, a Medellín judge ruled in favor of the Sepúlveda family's decision. He relied on the simple fact that it was the will of the woman dying from ALS. Thus, an entire media episode ended with the death of the aforementioned on January 8, 2022.
The events were carried out in the vicinity of the Colombian Institute of Pain (INCODOL). By virtue of this, no other eventuality to be highlighted was reported.
Other countries that have passed the Euthanasia Law
Euthanasia is an issue that has many political, religious and social overtones. In recent times, it has become a controversial topic as has gender identity and abortion.
In parallel, several nations have approved and adopted the Euthanasia Law as a good medical and moral method. In total, there are several of them that decriminalized this practice, the following being the most prominent:
Spain: the Iberian country is the most recent to join this trend with the approval of euthanasia in March 2021. In this way, it began the campaign to promote the right of terminally ill patients to obtain a dignified death according to their preferences.
Netherlands: The Dutch nation was the first in the world to approve this procedure. After a series of deliberations, it was repealed almost 20 years ago. Since then, it has remained in force as a plausible alternative for seriously ill patients.
Belgium: followed the same trend as the Dutch country, repealing the Euthanasia Law a month later. Likewise, it validated this practice in children under 12 years of age and assisted suicide.
Canada: the decriminalization of euthanasia resorted to a long process in Canadian territory. In June 2016, its validity was announced as long as the strict requirements requested are met.
The ranking is completed by the aforementioned Colombia, along with New Zealand and Luxembourg. Nor should the cases of Switzerland and Australia be dismissed as prime examples. Governments that have preferred a low profile on the issue, but whose participation is legal.