Euthanasia – All You Need to Know

In January 2020, the Supreme Court sought response from the health ministry and environment ministry to the Public Interest Litigation seeking the right to euthanasia for persons suffering from rabies. This petition points out the limitations of SC’s 2018 judgement that provided for guidelines for passive euthanasia.

What is Euthanasia?

• The word Euthanasia originates from Greek terms ‘Eu’ (good) and ‘Thanatos’ (death), meaning “good death” or “gentle and easy death”.
• The term euthanasia was first used in a medical context by Francis Bacon in the 17th century to refer to an easy and painless death during which it is a physician’s duty to alleviate the ‘physical sufferings’ of the body.
• It is also known as Mercy Killing.