The withdrawal of life-sustaining management for dying patients - A study in judicial precedents worldwide

Abstract

The decision to withdrawal of life-sustaining management for dying patients is one of the most difficult challenges in modem medical ethics. Due to the advances in medical science and technology, terminally ill patients can survive longer than ever expected before. More specifically, artificial ventilation, nutrition, and recently developed drugs constitute the cores of life-sustaining management for dying patients. The issues of patients' autonomy, medical paternalism and sanctity of life are related with this particular problem. Korean Supreme Court recently approved the request of a permanent vegetative status patients' family to terminate the artificial ventilation and allow the patient to die. Korean Medical Association is currently seeking to establish the guideline. Korean government and parliament are also looking for a way to enact the law. However, religious sector including Catholic Church and a significant proportion of the population have opposed the legalization of euthanasia. A careful study in other countries' legislations related to the care for dying patients would help to establish the consensus in the nation.