article on euthanasia (100-150)words
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Answer:
The word euthanasia, originated in Greece means a good death1. Euthanasia encompasses various dimensions, from active (introducing something to cause death) to passive (withholding treatment or supportive measures); voluntary (consent) to involuntary (consent from guardian) and physician assisted (where physician's prescribe the medicine and patient or the third party administers the medication to cause death)2,3. Request for premature ending of life has contributed to the debate about the role of such practices in contemporary health care. This debate cuts across complex and dynamic aspects such as, legal, ethical, human rights, health, religious, economic, spiritual, social and cultural aspects of the civilised society. Here we argue this complex issue from both the supporters and opponents’ perspectives, and also attempts to present the plight of the sufferers and their caregivers. The objective is to discuss the subject of euthanasia from the medical and human rights perspective given the background of the recent Supreme Court judgement3 in this context.
In India abetment of suicide and attempt to suicide are both criminal offences. In 1994, constitutional validity of Indian Penal Code Section (IPC Sec) 309 was challenged in the Supreme Court4. The Supreme Court declared that IPC Sec 309 is unconstitutional, under Article 21 (Right to Life) of the constitution in a landmark judgement4. In 1996, an interesting case of abetment of commission of suicide (IPC Sec 306) came to Supreme Court5. The accused were convicted in the trial court and later the conviction was upheld by the High Court. They appealed to the Supreme Court and contended that ‘right to die’ be included in Article 21 of the Constitution and any person abetting the commission of suicide by anyone is merely assisting in the enforcement of the fundamental right under Article 21; hence their punishment is violation of Article 21. This made the Supreme Court to rethink and to reconsider the decision of right to die. Immediately the matter was referred to a Constitution Bench of the Indian Supreme Court. The Court held that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution does not include the right to die5.
Regarding suicide, the Supreme Court reconsidered its decision on suicide. Abetment of suicide (IPC Sec 306) and attempt to suicide (IPC Sec 309) are two distinct offences, hence Section 306 can survive independent of Section 309. It has also clearly stated that a person attempts suicide in a depression, and hence he needs help, rather than punishment. Therefore, the Supreme Court has recommended to Parliament to consider the feasibility of deleting Section 309 from the Indian Penal Code3.
Answer:
Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing, is the medical procedure of painlessly killing of a person suffering from a very painful and incurable disease. The decision is taken by the patient or by the closest family members in case the patient is unable to answer due to coma or lost of his or her sense. One has to look at both sides of euthanasia and draw one's own conclusions because our upbringing and our views are not the same.
It is legal in India but it is frowned upon the society. Further their are many other laws which must be fulfilled first. Euthanasia relieves a patient from dying a slow painful death. The organs can be donated to save several lives, two kidneys for two persons, a heart for one patient, a liver for another person, two eyes for two persons, etc. No patient can receive two organs because there are many people in the waiting list and also dying due to lack of organ donors.
Euthanasia is still a sensitive subject. Family members find it a very difficult decision to make. Many people think that it is unethical and that doctors should be strictly occupied with curing and not killing. But there are also many people who find comfort in the fact that their deceased loved one is continuing to live in the body of other people.