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Definition of Euthanasia
Euthanasia has been defined as:
“The act of killing a person who is suffering from a distressing mental or physical condition” (1)
“when a doctor, friend or relative intentionally ends a person's life, to "put them out of their misery" " (2)
“Compassion-motivated, deliberate, rapid and painless termination of the life of someone afflicted with an incurable and progressive disease” (3)
However, there is no legal definition of euthanasia, because it is not recognised by British law. It is defined by intent; that is, when one person intentionally facilitates the death of another person.
Voluntary euthanasia (also known as ‘assisted suicide’)
This is when a person with a terminal (or serious and progressive) illness asks for their life to be ended by a doctor or carer (including a friend or family member). However, if the person with the illness is not considered mentally competent to make decisions about their treatment, it could be seen as murder. (Please see ‘Consent to treatment’)
Involuntary euthanasia
This is when a person’s life is ended, without their consent, although they are competent and able to make decisions about their treatment. Legally, this is murder.
Non-voluntary euthanasia (also known as ‘mercy killing’)
This refers to a person's life being ended when they are unable to make decisions regarding their treatment, for example they are in a coma.
There is a distinction between active and passive euthanasia: actively causing a person to die (for example by giving them an overdose) or passively allowing them to die (for example by withdrawing or withholding their treatment).
