| 释义 |
euthanasia
n. The act of taking life to relieve pain. The term is a wide one and covers voluntary euthanasia, where the sufferer’s life is ended at his or her specific request, non-voluntary euthanasia, where a person is unable to express his or her wishes (e.g. a baby or a person in a persistent vegetative state, and involuntary euthanasia, where a person is killed without his own or any proxy authority. Involuntary euthanasia is always illegal, whereas the legality of voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia depends in general as to whether it is passive or active. Generally, euthanasia is illegal and will amount to murder or assisted suicide where active steps are taken (e.g. the administration of a drug) to terminate life, even where the motive is a compassionate one. Passive euthanasia, for example the withdrawal of life-saving treatment, is legal if done in the patient’s best interest (Airedale NHS Trust v Bland [1993] AC 78 (HL)). See also artificial nutrition and hydration; extraordinary means. |