Die euthanasie — in Äusserungen der polnischen Gelehrten und im Lichte der Rechtsvorschriften der Volksrepublik Polen

Abstract

Euthanasia has for a long time been the object of very lively discussions in Poland. This article contains the views of scientists from various fields of science, especially medical doctors of different specialities. All of them have very serious objections to euthanasia and are against its practical application not only from the medical point of view but first of all for purely humanitarian reasons.

Polish penal law regards murder on request as delictum sui generis, i.e., as a kind of privileged crime as compared with common murder. Article No. 150 of the Polish penal law demands two features to characterise euthanasia: (1) the delinquent must act on grounds of compassion towards his victim, and (2) on the victim's request. The patient must be in such a state that gives reason for compassion. The request to shorten somebody's life must be very distinct, direct, firm, conscious and convincing. Persons under age, mentally defective or unconscious cannot express such a wish. Polish penal law punishes with utmost severity perpetrators of active euthanasia even in such cases in which the delinquent was moved by the most noble feelings. Only when it comes to penalty is distinction made between such a delinquent and a common murderer.