Euthanasia
Terminal illness is a disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and that is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient within a short period of time.
Euthanasia refers to the process of allowing such patients to die.
Euthanasia is of two types:
Active euthanasia:
It entails the use of lethal substances or forces to end the life of a person.
Passive euthanasia:
It entails withholding of medical treatment for continuance of life.
Aruna Shaunbaug case (2011):
In this case, the Supreme Court held that the principle of the sanctity of human life must give way to the principle of self-determination. The wishes of an terminally ill adult patient of sound mind must be respected, and if he refuses consent to treatment to prolong his life, the doctors must give effect to his wishes.
The Court also allowed passive euthanasia for terminally ill patients who are not in a position to decide (like a patient in a permanent vegetative state), subject to the approval by the High Court following the due procedure.
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