Question

What are the differences between voluntary active euthanasia, voluntary passive euthanasia,and physician-assisted suicide? In which action does the doctor “act last”? Why is this morally significant?

Answer 1

Euthanasia, is the term used to intentionally taking the life of an individual who is terminally ill and cannot be revived. Sometimes, when your loved one is terminally ill and you cannot see the pain they are suffering with, you rather wish they die than live a life which is living hell. Other times Euthanasia is provided to individuals who are in coma and are living on a life support system. If the life support system is voluntarily taken off by the family of the patient, is a form of euthanasia. There are two kinds of euthanasia; active euthanasia and passive euthanasia. Active euthanasia is when an individual is given an over dose of a particular drug to deliberately kill them, Whereas, passive euthanasia is when the patient is let to die on their own. Physicians have occasionally engaged in passive euthanasia without even consulting with families to simply make money. Hospitals and doctors just want to earn money, thus, they would indulge in passive euthanasia. It should always be the patient's and the families' decision. Never should it be the physicians decision. The family should opt for the kind of euthanasia they would like to perform on their loved one. In my opinion, active euthanasia is absolutely unethical. However, if the patient wishes or the family, then it is acceptable. I would want active euthanasia if I were terminally ill. Not only I would be suffering but my loved ones would be suffering emotionally and financially as well. I would rather die in peace and have both the family and me at rest.

Passive euthanasia is a personal choice as well. If killing a person may not seem right then a person must let to be die. Either ways the family or the patient must decide and not the physician or government.