Learn About Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the deliberate, intentional termination of a person's life for the benefit of that person.

In general, enthanasia involves medical doctors making decisions which result in shortening a patient's life, and these decisions are based on the belief that the patient would be better off dead.

The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the American state of Oregon are the only 4 jurisdiction in the world where laws specifically permit euthanasia or assisted suicide. In February 2008, Luxembourg became the 3rd European country to legalise euthanasia.

In 2002, the Netherlands became the 1st country to legalise euthanasia. According to the BBC, euthanasia now accounts for between 4,000 and 5,000 deaths a year in the country.

The practice is tightly regulated and it is estimated that doctors - the only people allowed to perform euthanasia - turn down 2/3 of requests.

Under the law, euthanasia will be administered only to patients who are in continuous, unbearable and incurable suffering. A 2nd opinion will be required, the patient must be judged to be of sound mind, and his or her request to die must be made voluntarily, independently and persistently.

Doctors carrying out enthanasia generally administer a lethal injection to their patients, and those assisting in suicide prescribe drug overdoses. Euthanasia is also allowed for babies with incurable conditions including severe spina bifida and a painful skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa.

Belgium also legalised euthanasia in 2002. Patients there must consciously make the demand and be under "constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain" resulting from an accident or incurable illness. 2 doctors must be involved, as well as a psychologist if the patient's competency is in doubt. The doctor and patient negotiate whether death is to be by lethal injection or prescribed overdose..

In the United States, Oregon is the 1st state to allow lethal prescriptions. Doctors can prescribe lethal drugs to help patients commit suicide but cannot administer them.

This is also the case of Switzerland - you have to be able to physically carry out that final act yourself.

What Euthanasia Is Not

There is no euthanasia unless the death is intentionally caused by what was done or not done. Thus, some medical actions that are often labelled "passive euthanasia" are not forms of euthanasia, since the intention to take life is lacking.

These acts include not commencing treatment that would not provide a benefit to the patient, withdrawing treatment that has been shown to be ineffective, too burdensome or is unwanted, as well as the giving of high doses of painkillers that may endanger life, when they have been shown to be necessary.

All these are part of good medical practice, endorsed by law, when they are properly carried out.

(Quote From Sunday Times 26 Oct 2008)

(Note: My personal opinion is against euthanasia.)