When treatment is removed, it is said, the disease is what brings about death, but in physician assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia, the physician brings about death. This is a mistaken concept; while the doctor 's actions are different, the effect is the same, making the distinction irrelevant. The following analogy may clarify this point, “a man is in a tunnel facing an oncoming train. The only escape is through a locked door on the side of the tunnel. On the other side of the door is an enemy of the trapped man, who, knowing that his rival is trapped, refuses to open the door. Therefore, the train kills the man. However, would we not consider the man who refused to open the door for his enemy a murderer? Although the train is the physical cause of death, the man behind the door has still killed another man (or allowed him to die). The fault, therefore, does not lie in action vs. inaction, but in intent. It can be acceptable to kill a person who is suffering and wishes to die, but it is unacceptable to bring about the demise of one who wishes to live.” (The Right to die, Dan Dorgan). This is something Callahan does not address at all,
When treatment is removed, it is said, the disease is what brings about death, but in physician assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia, the physician brings about death. This is a mistaken concept; while the doctor 's actions are different, the effect is the same, making the distinction irrelevant. The following analogy may clarify this point, “a man is in a tunnel facing an oncoming train. The only escape is through a locked door on the side of the tunnel. On the other side of the door is an enemy of the trapped man, who, knowing that his rival is trapped, refuses to open the door. Therefore, the train kills the man. However, would we not consider the man who refused to open the door for his enemy a murderer? Although the train is the physical cause of death, the man behind the door has still killed another man (or allowed him to die). The fault, therefore, does not lie in action vs. inaction, but in intent. It can be acceptable to kill a person who is suffering and wishes to die, but it is unacceptable to bring about the demise of one who wishes to live.” (The Right to die, Dan Dorgan). This is something Callahan does not address at all,