Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

31-May-2016

Arch Hellen Med, 33(Supplement 1), 2016, 54-56

POSITION PAPER

My answer.
When should I die (WSID):
On-time (mature death), neither earlier (premature) nor later (postmature).
My covenant

Ι.D.K. Dimoliatis
Unit of Quality of Life and Death, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

If at any time hereafter I can't participate in decisions about myself (God drives mad those he would destroy) and/or I can't look after myself for any reason for a maximum of six months (or less, if two independent doctors agree that currently there are no evidence-based serious probabilities that I will be able to look after myself ), then there is no future for me, my time to die with dignity has come, and my destiny should be allowed to recycle my body. No any medical intervention for prolonging the duration of my life with negative quality should be undertaken. The first next coma or any organ failure or any infection etc. should be allowed to recycle my body ("dust you are and to dust you will come back"; "it is impossible to avoid your destiny"). This is my mandate to whom will then have my care. My mandate must override any contrary opinion or legal regulation. Any violation of it is a criminally punishable infringement of the supremacy of my autonomy, and my children are ordered to prosecute those responsible.

Key words: Self-handling, Euthanasia, Living will, Premature/mature/postmature death, Future, When should I die (WSID), When should we die (WSWD).