「安樂死」的陰陽界線

「安樂死」是社會必須嚴肅面對的課題，但是解讀「安樂死」的專有名詞南轅北 轍，造成比較研究的困擾，本文以加拿大國會的研究報告「攸關生死」為藍本，作中英名詞 定義的對照。名詞固然混亂，世界各國對「安樂死」則多持否定的態度，即使在執行「安樂 死」最多的荷蘭，荷蘭刑法仍然規定「安樂死」違法，只是引用刑法中阻卻違法的理由不罰 。 醫學界對「安樂死」的看法也非常分歧, 在荷蘭 48% 的家庭醫生有施予「安樂死」的經 驗，而且病人「安樂死」的請求，60% 被拒絕；在美國只有 34.3.% 的藥師會知情參與「協 助自殺」；假如法律允許安樂死，有 72.35% 的臺灣醫師願意執行安樂死。 　　　　　Although euthanasia is an universal problem that every society is facing, there is still great disagreement on the euthanasia taxonomy around the world, which causes confusion for comparative studies. This article compares between Chinese and English taxonomies regarding euthanasia with reference to the Canadian system and reviews the current legal status of euthanasia around the world. Most countries have adopted negative attitudes toward euthanasia. Even in Netherlands, where euthanasia is more widely practiced than any where else around the world, Dutch physicians are only shielded under affirmative defenses in the cases of euthanasia. 48% of family physicians have ever practiced euthanasia and 60% of euthanasia request have been rejected in Holland. Only 34.3% of American pharmacists will knowingly participate in assisting suicide, whereas in Taiwan, 72.35% of physicians are willing to perform euthanasia if the law permits.