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Euthanasia is a subject of complex moral and legal dilemmas. While some see it as a way to mitigate pain, others perceive it as a breach of medical ethics. In recent years, euthanasia has been gaining more ground in our society and has become legalized in more countries. In this story, I will try to explore what is euthanasia focusing on different definitions, dilemmas, and legal issues.

Euthanasia – the practice of ending the life of a patient to limit the patient’s suffering. Or at least this is how the University of Missouri defines the word. Wikipedia has the same opinion. It explains that euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending life to eliminate suffering or pain. To me, euthanasia is more of an assisted suicide. Yet again, this practice is still illegal around most of the globe. However, the legality of euthanasia as of 2023 has spiked. Currently, this is legal in Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, and all six states of Australia.

So, apparently, there is some difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide. According to the Guardian, it is more about who performs the final act. While euthanasia is focused on stopping pain and suffering, assisted suicide is about helping someone take their own life at their request.

Now here the question is what defines pain and suffering and why might somebody want to take their own life? I have always been interested in this topic – watched fiction movies (Me Before You) and read things online. I explored in which countries this is allowed, and in which it is not. But there were always questions on my mind that kept me wondering. Things such as “Who defines if a person is eligible to do it?”, “If doctors are to save human life, aren’t they breaking their oaths and do they not perform their duty?”

These indeed may be conflicting questions. But who decides and gives the orders? Who has made euthanasia legal in countries such as The Netherlands and Switzerland and illegal in others? I think I am asking too many questions and not giving enough answers.

If you google ‘who is eligible for euthanasia’ the first thing that will pop up online is the Dutch governmental website that says that these requests often come “from patients experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement. Their request must be made earnestly and with full conviction.”

Recently, even Emmanuel Macron has announced new legislation to legalize “aid in dying”. This event followed last year’s report that indicated that most French citizens support end-of-life options.

While labeling and definitions of euthanasia/assisted suicide vary by country or jurisdiction there are some common things that all countries share. One such thing refers to the legal requirements and safety measures. For example, most countries in which euthanasia is legal have an age requirement. In Luxembourg, Australia, Canada, and Colombia this is 18 years. Nevertheless, certain countries such as Belgium and Switzerland do not have a specified age. Also, for this to happen the above-mentioned countries often require a diagnosis of a terminal disease or an incurable condition. While assisted dying legislation in Belgium and the Netherlands is similar and the prescribed safeguards are limited, other countries such as Australia have an extensive and detailed list of requirements related not only to age and diagnosis but also to referral, documentation, reporting, and notification.

The ethical debates related to euthanasia are complicated and persistent. While supporters believe that this is a personal choice that preserves one’s autonomy, opponents state that assisted suicide violates the medical core and the Hippocratic Oath that every physician takes. Moreover, religion also plays a role in focusing on the sanctity of life. Debate also revolves around people from vulnerable groups such as dementia or chronic mental illness. How are these people going to assess their medical condition to determine adequately if they want to end their lives?

These ethical debates have been a topic for discussion many times in my circle of friends. And regardless of our multiple discussions we have never agreed on one single thing. On the one hand, euthanasia could indeed relieve somebody’s pain but how do you define unbearable? One’s pain tolerance is not necessarily equivalent to somebody else’s.

While the debate around euthanasia is more than fierce and unsolvable, legislation for assisted dying has expanded significantly around the world.