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To end a person's suffering.

It's an ethical dilemma that tears the medical community on it's head, because there's no cure for many conditions (usually cancer) and terminal patients often die in a massive amount of pain. The conundrum is that the doctor has an obligation to help, and not harm, the patient. Some see ending the suffering as helping and humane and some see killing the patient as harmful, by definition, in all circumstances.

Euthanasia is when the doctor intentionally causes the death of the patient. This is not the same as giving doses of medication with the aim of relieving suffering that runs a risk of killing the patient. The former is generally illegal while the latter is not. The distinction is one of intent (whether killing the patient was the goal or just an acceptable risk).

Physician assisted suicide is when a doctor prescribes a medication to a patient for the purpose of ending the patient's life but allows the patient to administer it to themselves. It can be just a prescription for pills or go as far as starting an IV for them. Most places do not draw a distinction between that an euthanasia (in both cases the intent is to kill the patient) and so ban it.

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14y ago

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Related Questions

What are the possible questions for euthanasia?

Possible questions regarding euthanasia include: What are the ethical implications of allowing euthanasia? How do different cultures and religions view euthanasia? What are the legal frameworks governing euthanasia in various countries? Additionally, how does euthanasia impact the patient’s autonomy and the role of healthcare providers?


Did legalise the euthanasia Sweden?

Euthanasia is illegal in Sweden.


Is euthanasia legal in Greece?

No, euthanasia is illegal in Greece.


What is the difference between active euthanasia and non-active euthanasia?

non active euthanasia is the same as assisted suiside :)active euthanasia is just plain old suiside :)


What type of certification do you need to be able to medicaly treat and euthanise animals?

It depends on the laws of the state. A degree in veterinary medicine is normally required to medically treat animals. ( Such as a Vet Tech) A euthanasia certificate is required for the sole purpose of performing the act of euthanasia. One example is a person who works at a shelter and it is their job to perform euthanasia on the sick injured or unwanted pets.


How do you use euthanasia in a sentence?

Euthanasia is illegal in the United States.


What do doctors feel about euthanasia?

Most doctors are against euthanasia.


Is euthanasia an injection?

An injection of a sleeping drug can be a form of euthanasia.


When was Declaration on Euthanasia created?

Declaration on Euthanasia was created in 1980.


Is euthanasia so easy?

euthanasia can be as easy as u think but the problem is that it depends on the person who is being treat in terms of euthanasia'


How do you stop euthanasia?

You cant! euthanasia is a method of assisted suicide that is chosen for terminally ill patients the only way to stop euthanasia is not to do it!!


Who started animal euthanasia and why?

Euthanasia is a Greek word meaning good death (about 400 BC). Euthanasia is intended to prevent suffering.