Subhechcha Ganguly 
Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing, is a complex and controversial topic that has been debated for decades. It involves intentionally ending a person’s life in order to relieve their suffering, often in the context of terminal illness or irreversible injury. While euthanasia is legal in some countries like Belgium,Canada,Columbia,Luxembourg,Netherlands,New zealand, Spain it remains illegal in many others like Switzerland and is often a subject of ethical, moral, and religious debate.
The practice of euthanasia can take various forms, passive, active, voluntary, and involuntary euthanasia. Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing medical treatment that is keeping the patient alive, such as turning off a life support machine or not performing CPR. Active euthanasia, on the other hand, involves administering a lethal dose of medication or injection to end the patient’s life. Voluntary euthanasia occurs when the patient requests or consents to the procedure, while involuntary euthanasia happens when the decision is made by someone else, such as a physician or family member, without the patient’s consent.
In a recent plea, Bhaskar Barik aged 68 from Bhubneshwar who is down with incurable IBS RH arthritis,myalgia diabetes, mouth and rectum ulcer is bedridden with unbearable pain and doctors have lost all hope. In a recent conversation with him he said “Our law forces a culprit to death though he wants to live but a patient with acute pain wants euthansia for a peaceful and dignified death, then the law is silent. It is high time to enact law for this by par. Euthanasia should be legalized to save the family of the patient from mental pressure and agony. If natural death does not happen, how many days will the patient suffer the unbearable pain?” He also said that he has all the valid documents from all the reputed hospitals in bhubaneswar, he has sent the documents to the governor 2 to 3 years back and to the high court as well with but no futhure action was taken. He has donated his body to AIIMS and is praying for his death every moment.
Many patients are commitlng suicide due to want of this law. Many countries have adopted this. After a team of doctors opinion euthansia should be given to the patient for a peaceful and dignified death so that the patient and their family can be relieved from the social evils. How long will they suffer if natural death does not occur with bed sore pain?
One example of euthanasia is the case of Aruna Shanbaug , she was a nurse working at the King Edward memorial hospital, Parel, Mumbai. On 27 november 1973 she was strangled and sodomized by Sohanlal Walmiki, a sweeper the deprivation of oxygen left her in a vegetative state. On behalf of Aruna her friend Pinki Virani, a social activist, filed a petition in the supreme court arguing that the “continued existence of Aruna is in violation of her right to live in dignity”.But on 7 march 2011 court rejected the plea to discontinue Aruna’s life support but issued a set of broad guidelines legalising passive euthanasia in India. The Supreme Court’s decision to reject the discontinuation of Aruna’s life support was based on the fact that the hospital staff who treat and take care of her did not support euthanizing her. Later she died from pneumonia on 18 may 2015.
Another example is the case of Terri Schiavo, a 26-year-old woman from Florida who suffered brain damage and was in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years before her husband petitioned to remove her feeding tube in 2005. Schiavo’s parents opposed the decision and the case became a legal and political battle, with multiple court hearings and interventions from lawmakers and interest groups. Schiavo’s feeding tube was eventually removed and she died of dehydration and starvation, but the controversy surrounding her case raised questions about the ethics and legality of euthanasia and end-of-life decisions.
Proponents of euthanasia argue that it is a compassionate and humane way to alleviate the suffering of terminally ill or incurable patients who are facing a prolonged and painful death. They argue that individuals should have the right to make their own decisions about their body and life, and that it is cruel and unjust to force them to endure unnecessary pain and suffering. They also argue that euthanasia can be regulated and monitored to prevent abuse and ensure that it is only carried out with the patient’s informed consent and under strict medical and legal criteria.
Opponents of euthanasia, however, argue that it is a violation of the sanctity of life and the Hippocratic Oath, which obligates physicians to “first, do no harm.” They argue that euthanasia is a slippery slope that can lead to the devaluation of human life and the erosion of medical ethics, as well as the potential for coercion and abuse of vulnerable individuals. They also point out that advances in palliative care and pain management can effectively alleviate the symptoms of many terminal illnesses, and that hospice and end-of-life care can provide comfort and support for patients and their families without resorting to euthanasia.Passive euthanasia was legalised in India with some proper guidelines in 2018 :
- The decision to discontinue life support should be taken by the parents, spouse, close relatives, or even by a person or a body of persons acting as a next friend. It can also be taken by the doctors attending the patient. However, the decision should be taken bona fide in the best interest of the patient.
- Such a decision requires presence of two witness and countersigned by first class judicial magistrate, and should also be approved by a medical board set up by the hospital.
Euthanasia is a complex and controversial issue that raises important ethical, moral, and legal questions. While it may offer relief to terminally ill patients who are suffering, it also poses risks and challenges to the medical profession and society as a whole. Ultimately, the decision about whether to legalize euthanasia or not depends on a careful consideration of the values, beliefs, and priorities of individuals and society, as well as the potential benefits and harms of such a policy.
Written by
Sakshi Sighania
