03-11-2020 | 15:02 PM
Euthanasia
Context:
Recently in a referendum, New Zealand voted in favor of illegalizing the euthanasia for people with a terminal illness. The referendum asked the public to vote on whether the End of Life Choice Act 2019 should come into force.
The Act is meant to give certain terminally ill people the option of requesting medical assistance to end their lives and to establish a lawful process for assisting eligible persons who are able to exercise that option.
About Euthanasia
Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering (provided motive should be good and death must be painless as much as possible).
The term “Euthanasia” has been derived from the two Greek words ‘eu’ and ‘thanotos’, which literally means ‘good death’. It is also called ‘mercy killing’.
The phrase “euthanasia” was coined by Sir Francis Bacon.
Categories of Euthanasia
(i) Voluntary Euthanasia: It is performed with the patients consent. It is legal in some countries like Belgium, Netherlands, etc.
(ii) Non-voluntary Euthanasia: In this, a person is unable to give their consent (for example –the patient is in a state of coma or are severely brain-damaged) and another person takes the decision on their behalf.
(iii) Involuntary Euthanasia: It is conducted against the will of the patient is termed involuntary euthanasia. It is also regarded as murder.
(iv) Active Euthanasia: In this, a person intentionally intervenes to end someone’s life with the use of lethal substances or forces. For example- Administering a lethal injection to end life.
(v) Passive Euthanasia: In this, a person causes death by withholding or withdrawing treatment that is essential to maintain life. For example- stoppage of medicinal treatment in certain cases where it is necessary for the continuance of life, removal of life support system, etc.
Euthanasia in India
In March 2018, the Supreme Court of India legalised passive euthanasia as part of the verdict in the light of Aruna Shanbaug, who had been in the Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) until her death in 2015.
For this, the consent of the patient is required through a living will.
