Euthanasia is a sensitive and complex issue that has been debated across the world for centuries. Various factors come into play when discussing the topic, including safeguards in legislation, morality, and the precedent it may set.
Introduction
Euthanasia comes from the Greek words meaning “a good death” and refers to the practice under which an individual intentionally ends their life.
Euthanasia falls under the category of assisted dying, which also includes assisted suicide. The difference is contingent on the person who commits the act.
Euthanasia is when an individual ends another person’s life painlessly, whereas under assisted suicide a physician assists a patient in ending their life, usually by lethal injection.
Euthanasia can be further categorised as active or passive.
Passive euthanasia is more common and involves withholding life-saving interventions with the consent of the patient or someone on their behalf.
Active euthanasia is legal in only a handful of countries and necessitates deliberately using substances or forces to end the life of another person.
Historical Context of Euthanasia
Ancient Greece and Rome practiced euthanasia using hemlock to hasten death.
The term euthanasia was first used by philosopher Francis Bacon and later expanded by Karl Marx.
During the Age of Enlightenment in Europe and countries like Japan, suicide and euthanasia became acceptable practices to preserve a person’s honour.
In the mid-19th century, doctors used morphine or chloroform to induce the death of terminally ill patients.
The first attempt to legalise euthanasia was in the United States in 1906, but it was unsuccessful.
The Voluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society was formed in England in 1935, and although the practice wasn’t legally condoned, it was employed by physicians of the time.
Nazi Germany conducted the mass killing of mentally and physically impaired people during World War II, leading to over 300,000 deaths.
In 1957, the Vatican proclaimed that passive euthanasia was permissible under the church’s doctrine, leading to more countries legalising either passive or active euthanasia over time.
Countries Where Assisted Dying is Legal
Switzerland allows assisted suicide, with around 1.5 per cent of Swiss deaths resulting from the practice.
Both euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium for those experiencing unbearable suffering with no chance of improvement.
Spain made it legal for people to end their lives in some circumstances in March 2021, and Canada expanded its law on assisted dying the same year.
Colombia is the first Latin American country to decriminalise euthanasia.
Several states in Australia allow euthanasia, with similar legislation enacted in New Zealand.
Certain states in America allow assisted dying, with Oregon and Washington being the most prominent.
In India, passive euthanasia was legalised by the Supreme Court in 2018, provided the person has a “living will” specifying actions if they are unable to make their own medical decisions in the future.
Bioethics and Moral Debate
The moral debate surrounding assisted dying falls under bioethics. Polling is inconclusive, with cultural norms and legal directives playing significant roles in perception.
A 2015 poll in the Netherlands showed over 90 per cent of physicians supported the Dutch approach to euthanasia. In Mumbai, 75 per cent of physicians argued that patients should be allowed to end their own lives, but only in cases of terminal illness.
Arguments for Assisted Dying:
The right to life implies the right to a dignified death.
Proper legislation can regulate the practice to avoid the slippery slope.
From a utilitarian perspective, assisted dying can free up medical resources for other purposes.
Counter-arguments:
Legalising assisted suicide or euthanasia doesn’t diminish the number of suicides in the general population; it may lead to the suicide contagion effect.
Vulnerable populations are most at risk, as they may face financial burdens related to medical care that could lead them to opt for assisted dying.
People may choose euthanasia to cease being a burden to their families.
Data from the Netherlands and Belgium show that physicians have often breached laws around assisted dying, especially concerning psychiatric patients.
Religion and Euthanasia
Active euthanasia is explicitly condemned by the Catholic Church and is frowned upon in Islam and Judaism.
In Hindu texts, the notion of resolving to die through fasting, called prayopavesa, is acceptable when a person has no desire, ambition, or responsibilities left or is facing a terminal illness.
A similar practice exists in Jainism, termed santhara.
Mental Illness and Euthanasia
Euthanasia or assisted suicide for mental illnesses is complex. Between 2007 and 2011, 93 people in Belgium requested euthanasia due to unbearable suffering from mental illness, with 48 approvals and 35 carried out.
Unbearable suffering is subjective and difficult to define, particularly for mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.
In countries where the practice is legal, it is often only granted in the most extreme cases, with patients needing to demonstrate they have taken every step possible to alleviate their suffering.
The slippery slope concern persists, with fears that allowing euthanasia for mentally ill patients may lead physically healthy patients to opt for death over treatment.
Conclusion
Before making any move to allow assisted dying, it is essential to hear from all stakeholders, including disability rights activists and any individuals or groups who may potentially be affected.
Mechanisms must be in place to ensure compliance with the law, and states must collect data and monitor the practice to protect vulnerable people.
The euthanasia debate remains contentious, with strong arguments on both sides. Proper legislation and safeguards are crucial to addressing the ethical, moral, and social implications of assisted dying.
Note: In this CAPF essay, the world limit has been crossed to give you more information, you can take relevant portions as per your need. Further, we have given subheadings for your reference. When you write in the UPSC exam, you don't need to do that.
Relevance to UPSC CAPF Exam
This article is important for UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant exam preparation as it covers a significant ethical and social issue relevant to current affairs and bioethics.
Understanding the global debate on euthanasia, its historical context, and the challenges faced in different countries provides comprehensive insights for essay writing and interviews.
This topic aligns with the UPSC CAPF AC syllabus 2024, CAPF AC essay writing tips, and current affairs. Knowledge of such issues is also beneficial for exams like CDS, NDA, SSB, AFCAT, CSE, IAS, IB ACIO.
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