Mercy killing or Euthanasia
All over the world today, a fierce debate is going on whether people with terminal illness should be helped to die or not!
What is mercy killing?
What is merciful death?
Medical technology has advanced to such a level that can keep a person’s body alive for months and years even after the life of the person has come to an end. Such a stage demands a new mindset and a new terminology for the process of ending the life of another person who is not able to take a decision independently as he is no more the former person he was.
As the thought wave emerges that if the person is not able to live with dignity he should certainly be allowed to end his life with dignity. It is high time now to distinguish the two concepts mercy killing and merciful death- in other words, irrational suicide from voluntary death.
To begin with we have to analyze the differences between mercy killing and merciful death:
• Will the proposed death bring relief for the patient’s sufferings?
• Is the decision of the proposed death rational or irrational?
• Is the proposed death taken at the spur of the moment or is it much thought about and well-planned?
• Is the proposed death regrettable later or admirable
Mercy killing will continue to take place and that has to be dealt with by the law, police, court, and prisons. But the new concept of merciful death can be formulated with the help of medical supervision. The medical professionals can advise the close relatives to take a decision when the facts of the case suggest that a merciful death is the best choice under the circumstances.
When every organ fails and the doctors recommend removing the patient from the life supporting system, it brings about death and it is long ago recognized as a valid reason to bring life to close. When other methods are necessary to shorten the process of dying – such measures can be termed as merciful death.
