Chapter 5: Euthanasia

Euthanasia

Euthanasia

A painless killing of a person who is suffering from an incurable disease, senility, or permanent damage to the brain, which cannot be repaired or cured.

Active euthanasia

an Act of Commission. Death is induced by direct/indirect action.

Passive euthanasia

An Act of Omission. Here there is no active intervention to end the life.

Voluntary euthanasia

It is induced at the will of an individual by his or her request.

Involuntary/ non-voluntary euthanasia

Induced in persons who are unable to express their wishes.

physician

The role of the ________ in voluntary euthanasia is not only desirable but also almost imperative, as he can only make several vital decisions.

medical ethics

A physician respecting the existing practice of __________, such as the patient’s right to refuse any treatment offered; or at times using doses of painkiller drugs, which may shorten the life— a physician is not transgressing any ethical bounds.

good conscience

A doctor, acting in ________, is ethically justified in assisting death which, relieves intense and unnecessary pain or distress caused by an incurable illness, greatly outweighs the benefit to the patient than further prolonging life.

Euthanasia

_______ must be undertaken to relieve suffering.

Hippocratic Oath

This oath says: “...neither I will administer a poison to anybody when asked for to do so, nor will I suggest such a course...”.