Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering - Wiki
The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma - Oxford Dictionary
Origin Greek Eu=Well Thanatos=death
Almost everyone has heard about it. Almost everyone has an opinion. Almost no one can stoically defend their stand. There are just too many variables involved.
There are various forms of Euthanasia
Active Euthanasia: Doing something that deliberately causes the patient to die
Passive Euthanasia: Allowing the person to die without any intervention. This also includes either withdrawing treatment or withholding treatment.
Voluntary Euthanasia:This occurs at the request of the person who dies
Involuntary Euthanasia:A decision is taken on behalf of a patient who is either unconscious or otherwise unable to take a decision due to some or the other debility.
Indirect Euthanasia:Providing medication that reduces suffering but hastens death.
Assisted Suicide: A person who is going to die anyway requires some help getting through the line.
Go through the above very carefully one more time and read them as slow as possible.
Where do you stand? What would you choose if you had to? Would you rather not choose, in which case would you have someone choose for you?
Do you believe in the right to decide your own fate? Are you competent enough to know the intricacies involved in doing so?
Have you even thought of DNR (Do not resuscitate) orders for yourselves or your family members? Do you realize that there is a very thin line between DNR and Euthanasia? In fact, it is literally on the fence.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this before my next post which will cover Euthanasia in real life situations
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