What is passive euthanasia? We break down the 'right to die'

IllustrationRavi JadhavAdministering a peaceful deathActive A general practice for this type of euthanasia involves the individual first consenting to end their life through medical means Following this a medical practitioner administers a fatal dose of a drug to the patient The person does not necessarily have to be suffering from an incurable or terminal illness to be able to pick this optionPassive While active euthanasia involves usage of lethal drugs to end a persons life when they may be in perfect health passive euthanasia is performed in conditions where the individual is suffering from an incurable or terminal illness It involves getting the patients consent to stop the lifesaving treatment they are currently undertakingIllustrationRavi JadhavPhysicianassisted There is a third distinct type of administering euthanasia Unlike the other two the physician does not administer the drug instead they provide the required dosage of the medicine to the patient or individual who can then consume it at their own willWhat is euthanasiaThe Oxford Dictionary defines euthanasia as The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma The word originated in the early 17th century from the Greek words eu meaning well and thanatos meaning death Euthanasia is broadly and colloquially categorised into active and passiveAdvance directive for IndiansThe Supreme Courts ruling mentioned an advance directive or living will that has to be drawn up This has to be voluntarily done by a healthy adult who can also understand the consequences of their choice The consent for it has to be delivered in writing It ought to mention according to the SC bench when medical treatment may be withdrawn or no specific medical treatment shall be given in order to ease the suffering of the individual and give them a dignified deathThe inbetweenersPhysician assisted euthanasia is permitted in Germany Switzerland Japan and in the US states of Washington Oregon Colorado Vermont Montana Washington DC and CaliforniaIn 2016 South Korea passed a welldying law allows terminallyill patients to end their treatment It was to take effect from FebruaryIn December 2017 Italy also allowed living wills and gave the choice to refuse medical care artificial nutrition and hydrationIn November 2017 Australias Victoria state became the first in the country to legalise assisted dying Terminallyill Victorians can obtain a lethal drug within 10 days of asking to die after completing a threestep process which also involves two medical assessmentsTwo sides to choosing deathFor euthanasiagtgt If all individuals have the right to life they have the right to die toogtgt It is a dignified way to end onersquos lifegtgt Especially suitable for terminally ill patients or those suffering from an incurable diseasegtgt Death is a private matter and should not involve interference of the government or society if it does not harm anyoneAgainst euthanasiagtgt It would not be exclusive to the terminally illgtgt The choice to die may not be as lsquovoluntaryrsquo for someone who has been pressured into it due to their financial physical or psychological problemsgtgt It can lead to a lsquosuicide contagionrsquo meaning it would inspire others to simply opt for deathgtgt It could become a way for governments to contain public healthcare costs2002The year the Netherlands became the first country to legalise euthanasia37Percentage of deaths caused by euthanasia in the Netherlands in 20155500No of people who opted for assisted deaths in the Netherlands in 201504Percentage of assisted deaths in Switzerland each year132No of people who opted for physician assisted deaths in Oregon in 20154Number of countries where euthanasia is legalSource BBC and euthanasiacomInputs by Rupsa ChakrabortyCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates