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EUTHANASIA The Supreme Court recently directed the Noida district hospital to form a primary medical board to examine the possibility of passive euthanasia for a 31-year-old patient who has been in a vegetative state for over a decade due to quadriplegia. What is Euthanasia? The term ‘Euthanasia’ comes from the Greek words ‘Eu’ (good) and ‘thanatos’ (death), together meaning “good death.” Euthanasia refers to intentionally hastening a patient’s death to prevent unbearable suffering when recovery is impossible. Types of Euthanasia 1. Active Euthanasia Involves a deliberate act—often the administration of lethal drugs—to end the life of a terminally ill patient. It is further classified into: Voluntary – done at the patient’s request. Non-voluntary – done when the patient cannot give consent. Involuntary – performed without or against the patient’s expressed wish. 2. Passive Euthanasia Involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, such as stopping ventilator support or medications necessary for survival. It allows natural death to occur without artificially prolonging life. Global Legality Passive euthanasia is widely accepted in many countries due to ethical considerations about quality of life and human dignity. Active euthanasia, especially involuntary active euthanasia, is illegal in most jurisdictions and is treated as criminal homicide. Legality in India Passive Euthanasia: In Common Cause vs. Union of India (2018), a five-judge Supreme Court bench recognised the right to die with dignity as part of Article 21 (Right to Life). The Court allowed terminally ill individuals to opt for passive euthanasia. It also permitted the creation of a living will, enabling individuals to express in advance that they should not be kept on life support if they reach an irreversible vegetative state or incurable coma. The ruling made withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment legally permissible under strict guidelines. Active Euthanasia: Remains illegal in India and is punishable under criminal law. Quadriplegia Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) is a severe form of paralysis affecting all four limbs and the body below the neck. Key features include: Caused mainly by spinal cord injury at the neck level, often due to accidents, trauma, or medical conditions. While some cases may show partial recovery, most lead to permanent paralysis. The patient cannot voluntarily control their muscles and may also experience impairment of vital bodily functions such as breathing, bowel movement, and blood pressure regulation. Depending on severity, it can affect both motor skills and essential bodily processes, sometimes requiring lifelong medical support. 👉 Join Our WhatsApp Channel- https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaaGAqPCxoAugdgpyH41 For any Query- Call Now: 📞 8988885050 or 8988886060 Email: 📩 info@vajiraoinstitute.com 🌐 Visit: www.vajiraoinstitute.com Registration is Now Open for both online and offline batches in 2025. Hurry up, limited seats. 📌 Follow us on Social Media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vajiraoinstitute/ Twitter - https://x.com/vajiraoandreddy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/vajirao-and-reddy-institute-delhi Pinterest - https://in.pinterest.com/vajiraoandreddyinstitute