The Right to Refuse Medical Treatment According to Human Right principle

Abstract

Humans and animals share many similarities. By the time of sickness, there was a similar distress. The criterion concerning the peaceful departure of animals makes us realize whether life should be prolonged depending on a medical assessment of "the effectiveness of further treatments". It may be the same for humans and animals. Human beings should have the opportunity to decide by their own free will. Only the state can restrain it by law under certain conditions. Section 12 of the National Health Act 2007 is passive euthanasia. It does not hurt the public's feelings because it seems relevant to the nature of life and is not contrary to medical ethics. There is no reason to prolong the patient's life uselessly. Before stopping the treatment, a second doctor's opinion is needed, at least, as is the case in the Netherlands, which can apply in Thailand. However, Thailand’s cases might perform better because there will be more than two opinions from doctors; 3 to 5 doctors should participate in decision-making. They will form a quorum similar to the quorum of judges in critical cases. However, one may think in a new way that "leaving naturally" is a human right. When there is no cure, no one should be liable to stop the treatment. On the contrary, to continue useless treatment is an unnatural act that should need the informed consent of the patient or concerned decision makers.