EUTHANASIA

NEWS: The Supreme Court has recently directed a medical board to examine whether passive euthanasia can be allowed for a 31-year-old man who has been in a vegetative state for over 10 years due to quadriplegia

Meaning

• Euthanasia comes from Greek: Eu = good, thanatos = death → “Good death” or “Merciful/Peaceful death”
• Euthanasia-> refers to intentionally hastening a patient’s death to prevent suffering, usually in cases of incurable or terminal illness

Types of Euthanasia

Active Euthanasia

• A doctor directly performs an act to end life.
• Example: injecting a lethal drug.
• Active euthanasia is banned in India.

Passive Euthanasia

• Doctors withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment.
• Examples: stopping ventilator, removing feeding tube, not restarting CPR.

Patients Seek Euthanasia

• Terminal-stage cancers
• End-stage AIDS
• Degenerative neurological conditions (ALS, brain injury)
• Irreversible coma or vegetative state
• Cases with no active treatment or no possibility of recovery

Euthanasia in India – Legal Framework

Passive Euthanasia Allowed

• Case: Common Cause vs. Union of India (2018)
• A 5-judge Constitution Bench ruled:
  • Right to die with dignity is part of Article 21 (Right to Life).
  • Passive euthanasia is allowed for terminally ill patients.
  • Individuals can execute a Living Will / Advance Medical Directive.

Living Will

• A written document stating that:
• If the person later becomes terminally ill or unconscious,
• They do not want life-support treatment (ventilator, feeding tube, CPR, etc.).
• The will must be: Voluntarily drafted, Attested, Approvedà through medical boards before withdrawing treatment
• This ensures protection against misuse