EUTHANASIA .. MURDER OR SAVIOUR?

Some people may be wondering what is this..?

Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering.

Euthanasia is classified into three types:

         ·          Involuntary = contrary to an authoritative refusal of consent from the dying person.

               Voluntary = in accordance with the authoritative consent of the dying person.

·          Non-voluntary = done without an authoritative consent or authoritative refusal of consent from the dying person.

·          Active euthanasia = a case of killing.

•   passive euthanasia = a case of letting die.

EUTHANASIA IN INDIA:

·         Passive euthanasia is legal in India.

·          The decision was made as part of the verdict in a case involving Aruna shanbaug, who has been in a vegetative state for 37 years at king Edward memorial hospital.

·          The high court rejected active euthanasia by means of lethal injection.

·         In the absence of a law regulating euthanasia in India, the court stated that its decision becomes the law of the land until the Indian parliment enacts a suitable law.

·          For now it’s illegal in India.

Article 21 of Indian constitution grants the right to live for a citizen but not right to die. And inclusion of right to die in article 21 will contradict the provision of Indian penal code under section 309.

PROS AND CONS OF IMPLIMENTATION:

PROS:

• ·         This will reduce the suffering of people who are left with no other option except death. i.e., if no treatment can ever cure it.
• ·         Even if it is cured after a 30long years, he/she will have no idea of the current world they are living in and these leads to further complications.
• ·         When a pregnant women was told that the baby in her womb is physically/mentally challenged then what is she gonna do? ( abortion is legal in India) she is going to terminte the baby. ‘coz she doesn’t want to her son/daughter odd man out in the society.
• ·         This euthanasia can only help the patient to have a relieving death, only if it is strictly done without any misuse.

   CONS:

• ·         Mercy killing is morally incorrect and should be forbidden by law. It’s a homicide and murdering another human cannot be rationalized under any circumstances.
• ·         Family members influencing the patient’s decision into euthanasia for personal gains like wealth inheritance is another issue. There is no way you can be really sure if the decision towards assisted suicide is voluntary or forced by others.
• ·         Even doctors cannot predict firmly about period of death and whether there is a possibility of remission or recovery with other advanced treatments. So, implementing euthanasia would mean many unlawful deaths that could have well survived later. Legalizing euthanasia would be like empowering law abusers and increasing distrust of patients towards doctors.
• ·         Health care cost is and will always be a concern for the family irrespective of euthanasia being legalized.

   Conditions : (Active Euthanasia)

• ·         Only a medical practitioner should carry it out.
• ·         There should be an explicit request from the patient leaving no doubt about his/her desire to die.
• ·         The patient must be in a situation of unbearable pain and suffering w/o hope of improvement.
• ·         There must be no other measures able to make the suffering bearable.
• ·         The doctor must seek a second opinion from another doctor.