DNR vs. Selective Euthanasia

[MrBishop]

DNR – Do Not Resituate - Basically a judgement call made by the Doctor and, in some cases the family*where present*, as to what a ‘heroic measure’ is and whether it should be administered.



Euthanasia – A decision made by the family to discontinue treatments or medication to a patient who requires it to continue living, or to administer medication in order to speed along the demise of the patient. (aka Assisted Suicide in the latter case)



Here’s the point. In the case of DNR…it’s up to the doctor and the family to decide how much effort should go into saving the life of the patient….in Euthanasia, it’s discontinuing an existing effort. There’s a fine line there… at what point does an existing effort go against the DNR’s Heroic Efforts clause and become stoppable?



Morally speaking…where would you draw the line between the two? One is a legal right and one is a legal conundrum, with a slippery slope attached to it for good measure.