Right to die
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Right to Die
The Right to Die (pronunciation: /raɪt tə daɪ/) is a concept based on the belief that individuals have a right to end their own lives or undergo voluntary euthanasia. Possession of this right is often understood to mean that a person with a terminal illness, or without the will to continue living, should be allowed to end their own life, use assisted suicide, or to decline life-prolonging treatment.
Etymology
The term "Right to Die" has been used in the medical and ethical debate over euthanasia and suicide since the late 20th century. The phrase is used to describe the belief that one should be allowed to die naturally and without extraordinary medical measures.
Related Terms
- Euthanasia: The act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering.
- Assisted Suicide: The act of intentionally helping another person to end their own life.
- Advance Directive: A legal document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity.
- Palliative Care: Specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses, focusing on providing relief from symptoms and stress.
- Terminal Illness: A disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and that is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient.
See Also
References
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