Context:
The Supreme Court (SC) refused to grant an aged couple’s plea to allow “euthanasia” for their son, who has been lying in a coma at home for 11 years.
More on the news
- The Supreme Court of India has said that a man who sustained severe head injuries in 2013 does not qualify for passive euthanasia.
- The court emphasized that the man was not dependent on any life-support systems, and therefore, his situation would constitute active euthanasia, which is illegal in India.
- Earlier Delhi High Court had refused to constitute a medical board to consider their plea for euthanising their son.
What is Euthanasia?
- Euthanasia is the intentional act of ending a person’s life, typically to alleviate suffering from an incurable condition or unbearable pain. This practice, which can only be carried out by a physician, can be classified as either “active” or “passive.”
Types of euthanasia
- Active euthanasia: killing a patient by active means, for example, injecting a patient with a lethal dose of a drug. Sometimes called “aggressive” euthanasia.
- Passive euthanasia: intentionally letting a patient die by withholding artificial life support such as a ventilator or feeding tube. Some ethicists distinguish between withholding life support and withdrawing life support (the patient is on life support but then removed from it).
Different countries on euthanasia
- India: Passive euthanasia was allowed by the Supreme Court in 2018, as long as a person has a “living will” that specifies what actions should be taken if they are unable to make their own medical decisions in the future. However, the government has not yet enacted specific legislation to codify these guidelines.
- Netherlands and Belgium: The first countries to legalise euthanasia were the Netherlands in 2001 and Belgium in 2002.
- Both euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium in cases where someone is experiencing unbearable suffering with no chance of improvement.
- Other countries like Switzerland, Canada, and Australia have also legalized euthanasia or assisted suicide in recent years.
- Colombia: Colombia is the first Latin American country to decriminalize euthanasia. However, the specific legal framework and conditions for euthanasia vary across countries.
Ethical Concerns regarding euthanasia
Arguments in Favor of Euthanasia:
- Dignity and Autonomy: Proponents argue that individuals should have the right to choose when and how they die, especially if they are suffering from terminal illnesses or unbearable pain.
- Relief from Suffering: Euthanasia can provide relief from intractable suffering that cannot be adequately managed through palliative care.
Arguments Against Euthanasia:
- Sanctity of Life: Many believe that human life has inherent value, regardless of its quality. This belief can stem from religious or secular perspectives.
- Slippery Slope: Opponents argue that legalizing euthanasia could lead to a “slippery slope,” where it is extended to individuals who are not terminally ill or who do not truly want to die.
- Abuse and Exploitation: There are concerns that vulnerable individuals might be coerced or pressured into choosing euthanasia, especially if they are dependent on others.
- Impact on Healthcare: Some argue that legalizing euthanasia could divert resources from palliative care and other supportive services.