Option of tochbearers about euthanasia

Modernioje visuomenėje dažnai iškeliamas žmogaus gyvenimo fundamentaliosios vertybės, o kultūriniai pokyčiai įtakoja požiūrį į mirtį. Medicinos galia prailginti gyvenimą išaugo, tuo pačiu sustiprėjo moralės klausimai. Žmonės pradėjo rūpintis ne tik tuo, kaip prailginti gyvenimą, bet ir \"lengva mirtimi\", kuri gali sumažinti kančias. Pasikeitė eutanazijos sąvoka. Ji dabar reiškė gydytojų galią prailginti ar sutrumpinti gyvenimą. Atsirado aktyvi ir pasyvi eutanazija. Reikėtų skirti šias sąvokas. Gydymo netaikymo negalima laikyti žmogžudyste. Tačiau mirties paspartininas išlieka šiandienai atviru, aktualiu ir diskutuotinu moralės klausimu.This paper provides the results of research about modern society, in which even the fundamental values of human life are often called into question, cultural change exercises an influence upon the way of looking at suffering and death. Medicine nowadays has increased its capacity to cure and to prolong life in particular circumstances, which sometimes give rise to moral problems. The criteria for withholding/withdrawing treatments, namely, futility or excessive burdensomeness, are not chosen in order to carry out a proposal to end the person’s life, but rather to avoid useless effort or the excessive burden or continuing to provide such means. This is not an act of killing and doctor even is obliged to allow a patient in such situations to die his or her own natural death. However in this work the problem was found having no simple and obvious solution. Even among intellectual most influential elite of society, educationalists, it was impossible to have a consensus. Each group tried to emphasize special aspects of their own working experience, and agreed that the problem is as complex as the question of abortion. Lithuanian educationalists agreed upon the need of such discussions, and that young Lithuanians have to be better informed about the topic. However they were found not ready to legalize euthanasia yet even in some exceptional circumstances, but rather suggest carrying the decision out for further generations. Thus the question remains open for the future research and investigation.Švietimo akademijaVytauto Didžiojo universiteta