Euthanasia

Euthanasia The word "euthanasia" has a Greek origin and in it's original form
meant a good and honourable death, which would be pleasant and
painless. In medical terms it was taken to mean the kindness offered
to a person who was terminally ill by medical staff in order to lessen
their pain and suffering.

However, in recent times the term "euthanasia" has come to be used to
describe a gentle and easy death, for those who are incurably ill. It
is sometimes referred to as "mercy killing."

"Passive or negative euthanasia" involves not doing something to
prevent death-(i.e.), allowing someone to die. While "active or
positive euthanasia" involves making a decision and taking deliberate
action to cause a death in order to lessen suffering. In the case of
someone who is very ill the relatives may make this decision on behalf
of the person in question. Both of these acts are illegal under the
present law.