The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a plea in seeking passive euthanasia for rabies patients.
About Euthanasia:
Euthanasia is defined as the hastening of death of a patient to prevent further suffering.
The term "euthanasia" comes from the Greek phrase "eu thanatos", in which "eu" means "good" and "thanatos" translates into "death." Literally speaking, the maxim translates to "easy death".
The practice of euthanasia can be classified into the following two categories:
Active Euthanasia:
Active euthanasia is a method that involves taking active steps to end a life.
This involves taking positive steps to end a patient's life, such as by administering them a dose of medication through their intravenous line that will kill them.
Active euthanasia is also sometimes referred to by the term "aggressive euthanasia”.
Passive Euthanasia:
Passive Euthanasia is defined as the deliberate act of causing someone's death by withholding or withdrawing artificial life support, such as a ventilator, from a patient who is terminally ill.
In a case like this, something that is essential to save a patient’s life is not done.
Legality in India:
In a landmark ruling in the Common Cause vs. Union of India case (2018), a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court recognised the right to die as part of the right to life,legalising passive euthanasia and permitting the creation of a “living will”for terminally ill patients or those in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery, ensuring a dignified exit by refusing medical treatment or life support.
However, in India, active euthanasia is illegal and a crime.
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