Citation

Toledo-Pereyra LH. J. Invest. Surg. 2010; 23(3): 125-128.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa Healthcare)

DOI

10.3109/08941939.2010.492026

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Christiaan Barnard (19222002), pioneering heart transplant surgeon, introduced his ideas on euthanasia in a well-written and researched book, Good Life Good Death. A Doctor's Case for Euthanasia and Suicide, published in 1980. His courage in analyzing this topic in a forthright and clear manner is worth reviewing today. In essence, Barnard supported and practiced passive euthanasia (the ending of life by indirect methods, such as stopping of life support) and discussed, but never practiced, active euthanasia (the ending of life by direct means). Barnard believed that "the primary goal of medicine was to alleviate sufferingnot merely to prolong lifehe argued that advances in modern medical technology demanded that we evaluate our view of death and the handling of terminal illness." Some in the surgical community took issue with Barnard when he publicized his personal views on euthanasia. We discuss Barnard's beliefs and attempt to clarify some misunderstandings regarding this particular controversial area of medicine. Copyright © 2010 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

History, 20th Century; Humans; human; professional practice; quality of life; Quality of Life; Euthanasia; Religion; ethics; psychology; Stress, Psychological; review; history; euthanasia; priority journal; terminal disease; religion; mental stress; active euthanasia; Euthanasia, Active; Euthanasia, Passive; passive euthanasia; History, Ancient; Quality of life; microclimate; heart transplantation; surgeon; Heart transplantation; End of life; Cardiac surgery; Christiaan Barnard; Life Support Systems; Life-supporting systems