eutanasia

Eutanasia, commonly spelled euthanasia in English, refers to the deliberate ending of a person’s life to relieve unbearable suffering. The term covers different practices, most notably active euthanasia, where a clinician administers a lethal dose, and passive euthanasia, the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. When the person requests death and has the capacity to decide, the act is described as voluntary euthanasia. Non-voluntary or involuntary euthanasia refers to ending life without the person’s consent or with impaired capacity.

Legal status varies widely. Some jurisdictions regulate the practice under strict safeguards, permitting voluntary euthanasia or physician-assisted dying; others prohibit it. International consensus remains unsettled, and policy debates continue to shape approaches to autonomy, medical ethics, and social safeguards.

Practice and safeguards: In places where it is legal, eligibility is usually limited to adults with a terminal or incurable condition and unbearable suffering. Requirements commonly include confirmed diagnosis and prognosis, voluntariness and informed consent, decision-making capacity, and often a second medical opinion, waiting periods, and thorough documentation. Euthanasia is typically distinguished from palliative care and considered only after other means of relief have been explored.

Ethics and controversy: Proponents emphasize autonomy, relief from suffering, and patient dignity. Critics raise concerns about coercion, inequitable access, the intrinsic value of life, and the physician’s role. Ongoing debates address safeguards, mental-health assessment, and the risk of a slippery slope, as well as the implications for medical practice and vulnerable populations.