Active and Passive Euthanasia in the Context of Severe Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Active euthanasia, or mercy killing, describes the act of causing death for beneficent reasons by an active intervention. The Groningen Protocol which includes active euthanasia was introduced in the Netherlands for selected circumstances. In this chapter we discuss all options including euthanasia in the care of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. When a newborn child or infant is diagnosed with complex cardiac anatomy that is likely to result in a short and uncomfortable life, physicians and parents are often faced with a daunting dilemma. Should they embark on multiple palliative operations or should they withhold life-sustaining treatment and choose palliative care? This decision is often complicated by its impact on the well-being of parents, siblings, families, and health professionals. Although not currently a possibility in this country, there may be a third option—active euthanasia.