Question 1

Which of the following has been given as a reason for the legalization of neonatal euthanasia in the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

A)   That advances in medicine have made it possible to sustain the life of severely compromised neonates at the price of a heavy burden to society
B)   That it would introduce accountability and transparency to a practice that already existed unregulated
C)   That it is unfair to saddle the parents with the burden of caring for children with special needs
D)   All of the above B

Question 2

What reasons do the advocates of neonatal euthanasia (e.g., Verhagen 2013) offer for the legalization of the practice? Are you persuaded that there should be such a legal change?

Accepted Answer

The advocates of neonatal euthanasia, such as Verhagen (2013), offer several reasons for the legalization of the practice. One reason is the belief that in cases of severe and untreatable suffering, it is more humane to end the infant's life rather than subject them to prolonged pain and discomfort. They argue that in some cases, the suffering of the infant and the emotional toll on the parents may be so severe that euthanasia is the most compassionate option.

Another reason is the idea of respecting the autonomy and dignity of the infant. Advocates argue that if a newborn is born with a severe and incurable condition that will lead to a short and painful life, it is more respectful to allow for a peaceful and dignified death rather than forcing the infant to endure unnecessary suffering.

Additionally, advocates of neonatal euthanasia argue that legalizing the practice would provide clear guidelines and regulations for end-of-life decisions for newborns, ensuring that the process is carried out ethically and with proper medical oversight.

As for whether there should be such a legal change, this is a complex and contentious issue that requires careful consideration of ethical, moral, and practical implications. While the arguments for neonatal euthanasia may be compelling in some cases, there are also concerns about the potential for abuse, the difficulty of accurately predicting an infant's future quality of life, and the potential impact on societal attitudes towards the value of life.

Ultimately, the decision to legalize neonatal euthanasia is a deeply personal and societal one, and it requires thoughtful and informed debate to weigh the potential benefits and risks. It is a decision that should be made with great care and consideration for the well-being of all involved.

Question 3

According to the Baby Doe rules, in which of the following situations is forgoing life-sustaining treatment justified?

Accepted Answer

A)   The treatment is medically futile
B)   The treatment cannot afford the newborn a good quality of life
C)   The newborn is severely compromised
D)   All of the above A

Question 4

Given the killing/letting-die distinction, which of the following end-of-life measures amount to killing and which to letting die?

Accepted Answer

A)   Withdrawing life-sustaining treatment
B)   Withholding life-sustaining treatment
C)   Withholding artificial nutrition and hydration
D)   All of the above

Question 5

What does it mean to say that an infant is 'severely compromised'? Why might infants born too soon or too small be in that category?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean to say that...

Question 6

How might an appeal to quality of life support abortion for fetal defects? Provide an example of one type of birth defect that could support that appeal and one that could not.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might an appeal to quality of...

Question 7

When an extremely premature infant with a high probability of severe disability and death is born, what protocols of care do health care professionals follow around the world?

Accepted Answer

A)   Provide immediate resuscitation if the baby is born alive and admission to neonatal intensive care
B)   Withhold critical care but try to keep the infant comfortable
C)   Induce death as quickly and painlessly as possible
D)   Both A and B

Question 8

When the parents of a preemie and the medical team cannot agree on what ought to be done, what does court ruling in HCA v Miller suggest? That providers should decide according to

Accepted Answer

A)   An absolute standard of parental choice
B)   An absolute infant's-best-interests criterion
C)   A combination of A and B
D)   None of the above

Question 9

Which of the following end-of-life measures for infants with severe congenital disorders amount to forgoing treatment?

Accepted Answer

A)   Withholding life supports
B)   Withdrawing life supports
C)   DNR orders
D)   All of the above

Question 10

What can be said for and against a possible moral difference between withholding and withdrawing life supports from a compromised newborn? And what about between forgoing life supports and neonatal euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What can be said for and against...

Question 11

Think of an infant you know about or have heard about whose life was of such poor quality that you'd say it wasn't worth having at all. Would you go as far as saying that life itself was an injury to the infant? Or do you rather think that of no human life could that be truly said? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Think of an infant you know about...

Question 12

Which of the following best characterizes a congenital disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)   A genetic disorder
B)   A disorder present at birth
C)   An inherited disorder
D)   All of the above

Question 13

In the US, who is the primary medical decisionmaker for a severely compromised neonate when the parents and medical team disagree?

Accepted Answer

A)   The medical team
B)   The parents
C)   The courts
D)   A guardian ad litem

Question 14

Which end-of-life measure was the Groningen Protocol devised to make lawful when an infant with severe congenital disorders is born?

Accepted Answer

A)   Admission to neonatal intensive care
B)   Forgoing life-sustaining treatment
C)   Neonatal euthanasia
D)   All of the above

Question 15

What was the rationale for the Baby Doe rules?

Accepted Answer

A)   To protect the interests of disabled newborns from medical neglect
B)   To protect the interests of disabled newborns from discrimination on the basis of their disabilities
C)   Both A and BD Neither A nor B

Exam 9: End-Of-Life Measures for Severely Compromised Newborns