Involuntary euthanasia
Involuntary euthanasia (pronunciation: in-vol-un-tar-ee yoo-thuh-ney-zhuh) is a term used in medical ethics to describe the act of ending a person's life without their explicit consent, typically in cases where the individual is unable to make such a decision due to severe illness or incapacitation.
Etymology
The term 'euthanasia' originates from the Greek words 'eu' meaning 'good' and 'thanatos' meaning 'death', thus translating to 'good death'. The prefix 'involuntary' is derived from the Latin 'involuntarius' meaning 'not of one's own will'.
Related Terms
- Euthanasia: The act of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.
- Voluntary euthanasia: Euthanasia conducted with the explicit consent of the patient.
- Non-voluntary euthanasia: Euthanasia conducted when the consent of the patient is unavailable.
- Assisted suicide: The act of providing a person with the means to end their own life.
- Palliative care: An approach that improves the quality of life of patients facing life-threatening illness.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Involuntary euthanasia is considered illegal in most jurisdictions and is often equated with murder. It raises significant ethical issues, particularly around the sanctity of life and the autonomy of the individual. Some argue that in certain cases, such as severe suffering or irreversible coma, involuntary euthanasia may be morally justifiable. However, this is a highly contentious issue with strong arguments on both sides.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Involuntary euthanasia
- Wikipedia's article - Involuntary euthanasia
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