Euthanasia : For Rabies Patients
The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a plea in seeking passive euthanasia for rabies patients.
- Euthanasia is defined as the hastening of death of a patient to prevent further suffering.
- The term “euthanasia” comes from the Greek phrase “eu thanatos”, in which “eu” means “good” and “thanatos” translates into “death.” Literally speaking, the maxim translates to “easy death”.
- The practice of euthanasia can be classified into the following two categories:
- Active euthanasia is a method that involves taking active steps to end a life.
- This involves taking positive steps to end a patient’s life, such as by administering them a dose of medication through their intravenous line that will kill them.
- Active euthanasia is also sometimes referred to by the term “aggressive euthanasia”.
- Passive Euthanasia is defined as the deliberate act of causing someone’s death by withholding or withdrawing artificial life support, such as a ventilator, from a patient who is terminally ill.
- In a case like this, something that is essential to save a patient’s life is not done.
