Half A Life Or None?

City experts debate the right of the 
terminally ill to die, reports Biplab Das 

Have you ever seen a cancer patient writhing in pain? Or an Alzheimer's patient forgetting everything? Should we try to increase their life span, or help them to die to relieve their pain? Eminent personalities shared their views on euthanasia in a debate organised by Diagnostic and Applied Neuropsychological Association (DANA), a non-governmental organisation working on mental illness. 'People should have the right to die' was the motion. The debate was held at Paschim Banga Bangla Akademi on September 7. 

Euthanasia comes from a Greek word meaning painless death. The debate began with the basic question: what is the definition of death? "In modern medical science, a person is considered dead when his brain stops working, even if his heart can be kept beating with the help of life support systems," said Dr. Sunil Thakur, an orthopaedic surgeon of the city. Speaking for the motion, he said, "It is useless to give life support to a person whose brain has stopped functioning. Euthanasia relieves the patient's suffering, and the grief and anxiety of the members of his family." 

But if medical science encourages euthanasia, why are scientists trying to increase the efficiency of life support systems, argued Mr. Swapnamay Chakrabarti, eminent Bengali writer and programme executive, All India Radio who opposed the motion. "Scientists are trying to lengthen life span with the help of life support systems. This indicates our urge in favour of life rather than finishing it off," he said. 

"Not only that, the term euthanasia itself is controversial," said Dr. Gautam Bandyopadhyay, a psychiatrist from R. G. Medical College, who spoke for the motion. Implementation of euthanasia needs the consent of the sufferer. But its advocates would like to inflict it on patients who are suffering from brain diseases like Alzheimer's too. "Is it possible for an Alzeimer's patient to give informed consent for euthanasia? Isn't unethical to kill a person simply because he or she is unable to lead a normal life?" he asked. If euthanasia is legalised, it will only encourage escapism, he added. People suffering from terminal diseases like cancer, desire to die because of severe depression. Their interest in life can be revived with proper counselling. Several medical studies have proved this, he mentioned. 

"The practice of euthanasia is discouraged in countries like the US," said Bandyopadhyay. In New York, Jack Kevorkian, a doctor, assisted 130 patients to die till 1998. When the media revealed it, the government immediately formed a committee to delineate the bio-ethical aspects of euthanasia. According to the committee's report, doctors are obligated to relieve the pain and suffering of patients with drugs and proper care, and should not encourage the patient to die. 

Dr. Amit Chakraborty, former station director, All India Radio, supported Bandyopadhyay. "Euthanasia is a criminal offence in all countries, except the Netherlands, Belgium and the state of Oregon, US," he said. Even in Oregon euthanasia is given only after counselling. "After counselling, patients often lose their desire to die," he said. 

According to him, in Oregon, 21 patients suffering from depression requested for euthanasia. After counselling, only two went through with it. Euthanasia was legalised in Belgium only last May. He opposed the motion, arguing that euthanasia was the last choice to relieve pain and should not be encouraged at all. To him, it is not only unethical but also inhuman. 

"But life does not mean only breathing and heartbeats," countered Mr. Pankaj Saha, director, Doordarshan Kendra, Shantiniketan, speaking for the motion. The right to live means the right to all the basic needs of human life too. According to him, if one does not have these basic needs of human life, one should not have the right to choose death. According to experts, to enjoy normal human life everyone should have a minimum IQ of 40 and the minimum physical capacity to fulfil his daily responsibilities. "If a person lacks all this, it is impossible for him to lead a normal life. Yes, we say he is alive because he breathes and his heart keeps beating," Saha said, asking, "But is he really alive?" 

Speaking for the motion, Mr. Bhagawati Prasad Bandyopadhya, former judge, Calcutta High Court, discussed the legal issues regarding euthanasia and suicide. "The Indian penal code is still far from permitting euthanasia. If a person survives after a suicide attempt, he or she should be punished, according to the code," he said. The debate was preceded by a short lecture and discussion on depression by Dr. D. N. Nandi, president, Indian Psychoanalytical Society.