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@article{ART001333077},
author={Lee Dong Ik},
title={Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court},
journal={Korean Journal of Medical Ethics },
issn={2005-8284},
year={2009},
volume={12},
number={1},
pages={43-60},
doi={10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43}

TY - JOUR
AU - Lee Dong Ik
TI - Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court
JO - Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
PY - 2009
VL - 12
IS - 1
PB - The Korean Society For Medical Ethics
SP - 43
EP - 60
SN - 2005-8284
AB - This article examines the ethical issues involved in a recent decision of the Seoul Western District Court stating that a hospital in Seoul has an obligation to comply with a request made by the family of a 76-year-old female patient to remove the patient from the respirator on which she is dependent. This article defends the following claims concerning this court decision: 1) that removing the respirator from this patient is not a form of euthanasia; 2) that the removal of the respirator does not infringe the patient’s right to treatment; 3) that the free will of the patient may have been respected, even though there was no written consent; and 4) that the court’s decision does not acknowledge the right to death of the patient. The article also examines the concept of death with dignity, since the removal of a respirator that meaninglessly prolongs a patient’s life has implications for a dignified death. When treatment merely delays the time of death, it is more of a source of pain for the patient than it is a form of medical treatment. Hence it is inhumane. However, even in these cases “ordinary treatment” should not be neglected.
KW - life-prolonging treatment;presumed consent;vegetative state;artificial respirator;advance medical directives
DO - 10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43
ER -

Lee Dong Ik. (2009). Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , 12(1), 43-60.

Lee Dong Ik. 2009, "Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court", Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , vol.12, no.1 pp.43-60. Available from: doi:10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43

Lee Dong Ik "Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 12.1 pp.43-60 (2009) : 43.

Lee Dong Ik. Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court. 2009; 12(1), 43-60. Available from: doi:10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43

Lee Dong Ik. "Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 12, no.1 (2009) : 43-60.doi: 10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43

Lee Dong Ik. Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics , 12(1), 43-60. doi: 10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43

Lee Dong Ik. Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court. Korean Journal of Medical Ethics . 2009; 12(1) 43-60. doi: 10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43

Lee Dong Ik. Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court. 2009; 12(1), 43-60. Available from: doi:10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43

Lee Dong Ik. "Reflections on the Ethics of Withdrawing Life-prolonging Medical Treatment: The Decision of the Seoul Western District Court" Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 12, no.1 (2009) : 43-60.doi: 10.35301/ksme.2009.12.1.43