Ethical Considerations about Euthanasia in Childhood

Ovaj diplomski rad opisuje pojam eutanazije, vrste, argumente za i protiv eutanazije, eutanaziju u dječjoj dobi, kao i palijativnu skrb za djecu. Postoji nekoliko zakonskih propisa koji se odnose na kraj života u nekoliko zemalja. Osim toga, provedeno je anketno istraživanje roditeljskih stavova o eutanaziji djece i odraslih. Ispitanici su bili roditelji djece do deset godina s boravištem na području grada Zagreba. Svrha provedenoga istraživanja bilo je ispitati stavove roditelja o legalizaciji eutanazije djece i odraslih te provjeriti osviještenost roditelja o problemu eutanazije. Rezultati istraživanja o stavovima roditelja o legalizaciji eutanazije pokazali su da na njih utječe dob i spol ispitanika, njihova vjerska pripadnost, kao i iskustvo bolesničke patnje u vlastitom životu, osobno ili svojih bližnjih. Roditelji imaju veću zadršku prema primjeni eutanazije u djece nego u odraslih. Iako je eutanazija složen problem, aktivna eutanazija u djece i u bilo kojoj životnoj dobi etički je neprihvatljiva. Potrebno je razvijati palijativnu skrb novorođenčadi i u djece u svim aspektima.This diploma work describes the term euthanasia, types, arguments for and against euthanasia, euthanasia in childhood, palliative child care. There are some legal regulations regarding the end of life in several countries. Additionally, a survey of parental attitudes towards euthanasia was conducted. Participants were parents of children up to ten years with residence in the city of Zagreb. The purpose of the research was to investigate parents’ attitudes about the legalization of euthanasia of children and adults and to discover parents' awareness on the problem of euthanasia. The results of parenting and educating attitudes on euthanasia legalization have shown that age and gender of respondents, their religious affiliation, as well as the experience of a patient's suffering in their own lives, affect themselves or their relatives and friends. Parents are more concerned about euthanasia in children than in adult age. Despite the fact euthanasia is a complex problem, active euthanasia in children and at any age is ethically unacceptable. There is a need to improve palliative care for newborns and children in all aspects