Issues like palliative care and quality of life in patients with diseases like advanced care and AIDS have become an important concern for doctors. Along with this concern is another issue of Euthanasia or Mercy-killing of terminally ill patients. Defenders of Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) feel that its individuals right that makes them choose painless death. However, opponents feel that physician’s role in death of these individuals violates the central tenet of medical profession.
Moreover, undiagnosed depression and social ‘coercion’ in people asking for euthanasia put a question mark on the ethical principles which have led to strict guidelines for implementing PAS. Thus, assessment of the mental state of individual consenting to PAS becomes mandatory. Although now legal in India, PAS has several voluntary organizations like “death with dignity” foundation. What is your opinion…
