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Euthanasia as a safeguard for living: Anticipation and incurable cancer in a Colombian context
Brief about:
Journal Article (2025)
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Investigates the role of euthanasia as a psychological safeguard for individuals with incurable cancer in Colombia, emphasizing its unintended palliative benefits and the socio-economic disparities affecting access to this practice.
In Colombia, euthanasia was decriminalized in 1997 by the Constitutional Court, yet the practice remained in a legal limbo until 2014 when a technical protocol was established to regulate it. This protocol aimed to ensure free access to euthanasia for those with terminal diagnoses, defined as having six months or less to live or an incurable condition, and who express informed consent. However, the implementation of euthanasia is heavily influenced by socio-economic factors. Wealthier individuals can bypass bureaucratic hurdles through ”private euthanasia,” which allows them to schedule and defer the procedure at their convenience, often at a cost of up to US$2000. In contrast, lower-income Colombians face significant obstacles, including navigating complex legal requirements and insurance bureaucracy, often resulting in delayed or denied access to euthanasia. This disparity highlights the broader socio-economic inequalities within Colombia’s healthcare system, where access to timely medical services is often contingent on financial resources.
The research explores the psychological impact of securing access to euthanasia without actualizing it, focusing on the case of the researcher’s father, who, despite being diagnosed with incurable Multiple Myeloma, found peace of mind knowing euthanasia was an option. This anticipation of euthanasia, rather than its execution, provided a sense of control and reduced existential anxiety, which is crucial for the immune system’s efficiency in managing diseases. The study also addresses the unique Colombian context, where the discourse on euthanasia is framed around social justice rather than individual liberty, contrasting with North American bioethical discussions. This shift emphasizes how socio-economic disparities shape patients’ experiences and decisions regarding end-of-life care.
Key findings
- Securing access to euthanasia can provide significant psychological relief for patients with incurable cancer, even if the procedure is not actualized.Evidence
The researcher's father, diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, reported that knowing euthanasia was available gave him peace of mind, describing it as his ''Xanax'' or anxiolytic. This sense of control allowed him to make decisions without the fear of a painful death clouding his judgment.
What it meansThe anticipation of euthanasia, rather than its execution, can transform it into an emancipatory practice that enhances the quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses by reducing anxiety and providing a sense of control over their future.
- Socio-economic disparities significantly affect access to euthanasia in Colombia, with wealthier individuals able to circumvent bureaucratic hurdles.Evidence
Wealthier Colombians can opt for ''private euthanasia,'' allowing them to bypass government protocols and schedule the procedure at their convenience, often at a cost of up to US$2000. In contrast, lower-income individuals must navigate complex legal and bureaucratic processes, often resulting in delayed or denied access.
What it meansThese disparities highlight the broader socio-economic inequalities within Colombia's healthcare system, where access to euthanasia and other medical services is often contingent on financial resources.
- The discourse on euthanasia in Colombia is framed around social justice, contrasting with the individual liberty focus in North American bioethical discussions.Evidence
In Colombia, the emphasis is on how socio-economic disparities shape patients' experiences and decisions regarding end-of-life care, highlighting the class politics that have permeated public health policy since colonial times.
What it meansThis shift in focus provides a critical perspective that enriches broader medical anthropology conversations on euthanasia, emphasizing the need for a more equitable healthcare system.
- Anticipation of euthanasia can help patients live in the present and avoid unnecessary medical interventions.Evidence
The researcher's father used the anticipation of euthanasia to focus on his present life, avoiding aggressive treatments and instead engaging in activities he enjoyed, such as spending time with family and friends.
What it meansThis approach allows patients to make more informed decisions about their healthcare, reducing the likelihood of undergoing unnecessary and potentially harmful medical interventions.
- Euthanasia can be seen as an ''opening'' that allows patients to make bold medical decisions without fear of prolonged suffering.Evidence
The researcher's father described euthanasia as a ''life vest'' that provided peace of mind and allowed him to live without the constant fear of a painful death.
What it meansThis perspective emphasizes the potential of euthanasia to enhance the quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses by providing a sense of control and reducing existential anxiety.
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Euthanasia as a safeguard for living: Anticipation and incurable cancer in a Colombian context
Cite this brief: Sanz, Camilo. 'Euthanasia as a safeguard for living: Anticipation and incurable cancer in a Colombian context'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/euthanasia-as-a-safeguard-for-living-anticipation-and-incurable-cancer-in-a-colombian-context/
Brief created by: Dr Camilo Sanz | Year brief made: 2025
Original research:
- Sanz, C., ‘Euthanasia as a safeguard for living: Anticipation and incurable cancer in a Colombian context’ (pp. 1–14) https://doi.org/10.1111/maq.12789. – https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/maq.70012
Research brief:
Investigates the role of euthanasia as a psychological safeguard for individuals with incurable cancer in Colombia, emphasizing its unintended palliative benefits and the socio-economic disparities affecting access to this practice.
In Colombia, euthanasia was decriminalized in 1997 by the Constitutional Court, yet the practice remained in a legal limbo until 2014 when a technical protocol was established to regulate it. This protocol aimed to ensure free access to euthanasia for those with terminal diagnoses, defined as having six months or less to live or an incurable condition, and who express informed consent. However, the implementation of euthanasia is heavily influenced by socio-economic factors. Wealthier individuals can bypass bureaucratic hurdles through ”private euthanasia,” which allows them to schedule and defer the procedure at their convenience, often at a cost of up to US$2000. In contrast, lower-income Colombians face significant obstacles, including navigating complex legal requirements and insurance bureaucracy, often resulting in delayed or denied access to euthanasia. This disparity highlights the broader socio-economic inequalities within Colombia’s healthcare system, where access to timely medical services is often contingent on financial resources.
The research explores the psychological impact of securing access to euthanasia without actualizing it, focusing on the case of the researcher’s father, who, despite being diagnosed with incurable Multiple Myeloma, found peace of mind knowing euthanasia was an option. This anticipation of euthanasia, rather than its execution, provided a sense of control and reduced existential anxiety, which is crucial for the immune system’s efficiency in managing diseases. The study also addresses the unique Colombian context, where the discourse on euthanasia is framed around social justice rather than individual liberty, contrasting with North American bioethical discussions. This shift emphasizes how socio-economic disparities shape patients’ experiences and decisions regarding end-of-life care.
Findings:
Securing access to euthanasia can provide significant psychological relief for patients with incurable cancer, even if the procedure is not actualized.
The researcher’s father, diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, reported that knowing euthanasia was available gave him peace of mind, describing it as his ”Xanax” or anxiolytic. This sense of control allowed him to make decisions without the fear of a painful death clouding his judgment.
The anticipation of euthanasia, rather than its execution, can transform it into an emancipatory practice that enhances the quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses by reducing anxiety and providing a sense of control over their future.
Socio-economic disparities significantly affect access to euthanasia in Colombia, with wealthier individuals able to circumvent bureaucratic hurdles.
Wealthier Colombians can opt for ”private euthanasia,” allowing them to bypass government protocols and schedule the procedure at their convenience, often at a cost of up to US$2000. In contrast, lower-income individuals must navigate complex legal and bureaucratic processes, often resulting in delayed or denied access.
These disparities highlight the broader socio-economic inequalities within Colombia’s healthcare system, where access to euthanasia and other medical services is often contingent on financial resources.
The discourse on euthanasia in Colombia is framed around social justice, contrasting with the individual liberty focus in North American bioethical discussions.
In Colombia, the emphasis is on how socio-economic disparities shape patients’ experiences and decisions regarding end-of-life care, highlighting the class politics that have permeated public health policy since colonial times.
This shift in focus provides a critical perspective that enriches broader medical anthropology conversations on euthanasia, emphasizing the need for a more equitable healthcare system.
Anticipation of euthanasia can help patients live in the present and avoid unnecessary medical interventions.
The researcher’s father used the anticipation of euthanasia to focus on his present life, avoiding aggressive treatments and instead engaging in activities he enjoyed, such as spending time with family and friends.
This approach allows patients to make more informed decisions about their healthcare, reducing the likelihood of undergoing unnecessary and potentially harmful medical interventions.
Euthanasia can be seen as an ”opening” that allows patients to make bold medical decisions without fear of prolonged suffering.
The researcher’s father described euthanasia as a ”life vest” that provided peace of mind and allowed him to live without the constant fear of a painful death.
This perspective emphasizes the potential of euthanasia to enhance the quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses by providing a sense of control and reducing existential anxiety.