lifedenying

Lifedenying is a term used in philosophical, medical, and policy discussions to describe actions, policies, or attitudes that intentionally reduce or deny the possibility of continued life for an individual or group. In clinical contexts it often refers to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments when doing so aligns with the patient's wishes or best interests, or when resources or prognosis justify limited intervention. The term is not widely standardized in formal ethics literature but is encountered in debates about end-of-life care, patient autonomy, and triage.

In medical ethics, lifedenying is contrasted with life-saving measures and is distinguished from acts intended to cause death. It encompasses decisions such as do-not-resuscitate orders, withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, withholding aggressive treatments, and, in palliative contexts, the use of comfort-focused care. Legal frameworks typically permit lifedenying when it reflects informed consent, advance directives, or surrogate decision-making, though policies and acceptability vary by jurisdiction and culture.

Critics argue lifedenying can be vulnerable to coercion, socioeconomic pressures, or misinterpreted consent. Proponents emphasize respect for patient autonomy, proportionality of care, and the equitable allocation of scarce resources. Clinicians navigate tensions between beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice while ensuring communication with patients and families.

Lifedenying intersects with broader topics such as euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and disaster triage. Related concepts include do-not-resuscitate orders, palliative care, and advance directives.