Basic Policy ~ Association for the Legalization of Euthanasia ~ RiP:D

[Basic Policy ~ Association for the Legalization of Euthanasia ~ RiP:D]

Our basic policy: (Basic policy ~ Association for the legalization of euthanasia ~)

Our organization advocates for the introduction of a euthanasia system in Japan as a dignified option for people who are deeply distressed at the end of their lives.

Without being influenced by the values and paternalism of medical professionals, or by specific ideologies or religious doctrines,

We prioritize "social responses to individual suffering."

The right of people to choose a peaceful and peaceful end of their lives according to their own will should be universally guaranteed.

Basic philosophy:

The euthanasia system that our association aims for is not an easy acceptance of death,

We empathize with the suffering of people who have been pushed to the limit,

It is a system that protects the dignity of self-determination .

There are many people in the world who are unfortunate enough to be burdened with a "severe disability," whose pain cannot be alleviated even with standard treatment or palliative care, who endure "unbearable pain" and "extreme discomfort," and who sometimes live lives filled with anguish that "nearly pushes them to their mental limits."

For example, there are certainly existential sufferings that exceed the limits of modern medicine, such as advanced cancer, neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, incurable diseases, severe pain that is resistant to treatment (such as fibromyalgia), or quadriplegia due to an accident.

In response to this suffering, we believe that society should not only provide "technology to keep people alive," but also the option of "the freedom to choose a dignified end of life."

In order to realize this ideal, our association will take the Dutch euthanasia model as a reference and take a stance of ensuring the transparency and safety of the system, including by having multiple doctors make decisions, having a third-party review, and clearly stipulating procedures.

This is to ensure that the operation of euthanasia is a socially trustworthy system and that patients are able to exercise their wishes appropriately without suffering any disadvantage.

Our Society's view of the "eligibility criteria for euthanasia":

The core point that our association places importance on is that " there will always be serious suffering that has no hope of recovery and cannot be alleviated by medical care or welfare ."

When making such a decision, a comprehensive assessment should be made of multiple factors, including not only the patient's life expectancy and specific pathological condition, but also the patient's physical and mental suffering, disruption to daily life, and loss of independence .

Furthermore, euthanasia is not decided by a doctor or family, but is only possible through the voluntary and considered will of the individual .

After confirmation of mental capacity and careful consideration and multiple declarations of will, multiple specialists will verify the medical appropriateness of the will, and an independent review body will make the final decision.

It is this process that will support a "safe and secure system" for patients, their families, and society as a whole.

Our criteria for eligibility for euthanasia

(Based on the Dutch euthanasia model)

• Be a Japanese citizen or permanent resident, or have lived in Japan for at least 12 months at the time of application.

• Ability to make judgments is maintained.

• There is no bias or coercion in the judgment.

• The patient's suffering is medically and psychologically confirmed, and no improvement is expected despite palliative care and other treatments.

• The application is made voluntarily by the individual and is not subject to external coercion or inducement.

• The decision is made based on free will after receiving sufficient information and explanation.

• This also includes non-terminal illnesses (dementia, existential distress resulting from severe injuries such as quadriplegia, and mental illness).

A realistic approach to implementing the system:

We believe that society needs to sincerely face the reality of people who suffer not only from physical pain, but also from existential anguish and severe mental illnesses .

Furthermore, in order to ensure that the euthanasia system is established safely and securely, careful operation is required from the early stages of its introduction.

Initially, the system will focus on terminal illnesses, but this does not mean that other suffering will be ignored.

From the early stages of the system, we must fully recognize and take into consideration that even if a patient is not in the terminal stage, there are people who face serious suffering due to severe pain, intractable physical disabilities, treatment-resistant mental illnesses, etc. On that basis, it is important to ensure the safety and transparency of the system, and to carefully consider the scope of eligibility through repeated careful discussion and verification.

Our association does not aim to hastily expand the system, but rather has a basic policy of forming a system in a gradual and careful manner, while paying attention to a wide range of suffering from the early stages, in order to respond sincerely to the ` `depth of each individual's suffering.''

*Example: At the beginning of implementation

The disease is expected to lead to death within a maximum of six months, or within a maximum of 12 months in the case of neurodegenerative diseases.

* Neurodegenerative diseases: ALS, Parkinson's disease, spinocerebellar degeneration, multiple system atrophy, multiple sclerosis,

Huntington's disease, etc.

Conclusion:

Our organization does not view the euthanasia system as a "disregard for life," but as a "social responsibility" toward people who find themselves in painful situations.

We are not bound by the traditional beliefs or paternalism of medical professionals, nor do we rely on any one ideology or religious position. While we respect diverse values, we always place the "suffering and dignity of the individual" at the center of our work.

Our association will continue to hold honest discussions and propose systems with the aim of realizing a society in which the right to choose a peaceful and tranquil end is recognized as a system and everyone has the possibility of being freed from pain.