EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia (from the Greek ????????? meaning “good death”: ??-, eu- (well or good) + ???????, thanatos (death)) refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner. Accordingto the House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics, the precise definition of euthanasia is “a deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieveintractable suffering”

There are different kinds of euthanasia, the voluntary one is conducted with consent of the patient, mean while Involuntary euthanasia is conducted where an individual makes adecision for another person incapable of doing so. And Active or Pasive Euthanasia, Both voluntary and involuntary euthanasia can be conducted passively or actively. A number of authors consider these termsto be misleading and unhelpful. Passive euthanasia entails the withholding of common treatments (such as antibiotics, chemotherapy in cancer, or surgery) or the distribution of a medication (such asmorphine) to relieve pain, knowing that it may also result in death (principle of double effect). Passive euthanasia is the most accepted form, and it is a common practice in most hospitals. Passiveeuthanasia may also entail the withdrawing of life support, which is more controversial. Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or forces to kill and is the most controversial means. Anindividual may use a euthanasia machine to perform active voluntary euthanasia on himself / herself.

In Mexico, active euthanasia is illegal but since 7 January 2008 the law allows the terminallyill —or closest relatives, if unconscious— to refuse medication or further medical treatment to extend life (also known as passive euthanasia) in Mexico City, in the central state of Aguascalientes(since 6 April 2009) and, since 1 September 2009, in the Western state of Michoacán. A similar law extending the same provisions at the national level has been approved by the senate and an initiative…