Euthanasia is currently in the limelight with a 70-year-old woman, HB Karibasamma, from Davangere, approaching the high court to grant her the right to die “when she is still able-bodied.” The subject of euthanasia has always been debated from different points of view. DNA speaks to Dr KN Krishna, consultant neurosurgeon, Fortis Hospitals, who shares his views on legally assisted suicide
A request for assisted suicide is a cry for help. Do you think euthanasia is justified?
I have seen people suffer from a lot of pain. The capacity to tolerate pain depends from patient to patient. It is not so much the pain but the psychological condition and the mental strength to tolerate pain that determines a person’s urge to die. I have seen young boys and girls of 15 suffer from diabetes and young men suffer from cancer.
Today, medical technology has advanced so much that a person can continue to live even if he is completely crippled. The surroundings of a person matter most when he/she falls prey to a disease. But euthanasia is certainly not the answer to end pain. Psychological counselling should be their first attempt to deal with the problem.
Unbearable pain is the main reason favouring euthanasia. What is your take on this?
Euthanasia should not be the solution for all those who cannot tolerate pain. I have seen many people suffering from terminal illnesses and I’m sure many of them, at some point, would have thought of giving up.
But then should every person in pain commit suicide, there will be no end to it. It will be legal, no doubt. But there is an ocean of medical problems out there with no solutions. In such cases, patients must seek psychological help and not lose hope. Pain is a part of every life and living with it also serves as inspiration to others.
Karibasamma is not terminally ill. Do you agree with her desirie to die able-bodied?
No. But that certainly does not mean that the person knows what death means. It is her psyche which has to be mentored which can help her grow out of it by just realising herpain. The courts, as the law stands today, will not permit such a thing and they should not agree to any amendment and allow euthanasia. It would become a case of “you can die when you want to”. Life is precious and we, as doctors, would not be happy if such legal assistance is given.
What are the problems that could arise if euthanasia is made legal in India?
If euthanasia is made legal, you are permitting society to go beyond disturbing the psyche of a person who has not got a job or has cancer. The person would then prefer death to life.
Comments