Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and Euthanasia

The U.K.’s House of Commons passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, allowing physician-assisted dying for mentally competent adults with less than six months to live, pending approval from the House of Lords. This has reignited debates on euthanasia.

Euthanasia in India

• India recognizes passive euthanasia through Supreme Court judgments but not active euthanasia.
• Passive euthanasia involves withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, allowing natural death.
• Implementation is slow due to procedural requirements like advance directives and dual medical board clearance.

Challenges of Implementation in India

• Families often decide informally due to slow legal processes, placing doctors in legal dilemmas.
• The fragmented healthcare system and cultural factors complicate end-of-life choices.
• Introducing active euthanasia may pressure vulnerable groups to opt for death due to financial or social burdens.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life, interpreted to include dignified death.
• Supreme Court distinguishes between allowing death and causing death.

Suggestions for Improving Passive Euthanasia

• Leverage digital tools to streamline procedures, making advance directives accessible via a national digital portal.
• Hospital ethics committees should authorize withdrawal of life support within 48 hours.
• Mandatory safeguards like psychological counseling and palliative care reviews should be in place.

Educational and Awareness Measures

• Integrate end-of-life care training in medical education, including ethical and legal aspects.
• Conduct public awareness campaigns to normalize discussions on advance care planning.

India should focus on making passive euthanasia frameworks workable, consistent with local values and safeguards, without adopting active euthanasia models. Transparency and ease in procedures can enhance humane end-of-life decisions.