In particular, these include situations where a person kills another, painlessly, but for no reason beyond that of personal gain or accidental deaths that are quick and painless, but not intentional. However, it is argued that this approach fails to properly define euthanasia, as it leaves open a number of possible actions which would meet the requirements of the definition, but would not be seen as euthanasia. In current usage, euthanasia has been defined as the "painless inducement of a quick death". The first apparent usage of the term "euthanasia" belongs to the historian Suetonius, who described how the Emperor Augustus, "dying quickly and without suffering in the arms of his wife, Livia, experienced the 'euthanasia' he had wished for." The word "euthanasia" was first used in a medical context by Francis Bacon in the 17th century, to refer to an easy, painless, happy death, during which it was a "physician's responsibility to alleviate the 'physical sufferings' of the body." Bacon referred to an "outward euthanasia"-the term "outward" he used to distinguish from a spiritual concept-the euthanasia "which regards the preparation of the soul." Like other terms borrowed from history, "euthanasia" has had different meanings depending on usage.
In some countries-such as Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan-support for active euthanasia is almost non-existent. Active euthanasia, however, is legal or de facto legal in only a handful of countries (for example: Belgium, Canada and Switzerland), which limit it to specific circumstances and require the approval of counselors and doctors or other specialists. Passive euthanasia (known as "pulling the plug") is legal under some circumstances in many countries. In some countries divisive public controversy occurs over the moral, ethical, and legal issues associated with euthanasia. Involuntary euthanasia, which is done without asking for consent or against the patient's will, is illegal in all countries and is usually considered murder.Īs of 2006 euthanasia had become the most active area of research in bioethics. Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs when a patient's consent is unavailable and is legal in some countries under certain limited conditions, in both active and passive forms. Voluntary euthanasia is when a person wills to have their life ended and is legal in a growing number of countries. Įuthanasia is categorized in different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary. The Dutch law, however, does not use the term 'euthanasia' but includes the concept under the broader definition of "assisted suicide and termination of life on request". In the Netherlands and Belgium, euthanasia is understood as "termination of life by a doctor at the request of a patient". The British House of Lords select committee on medical ethics defines euthanasia as "a deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieve intractable suffering". ĭifferent countries have different euthanasia laws.
The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia.For the killing of mortally wounded animals or humans, see Coup de grâce. For mercy killings performed on other animals, see Animal euthanasia. This article is about euthanasia of humans.
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