The debate on euthanasia and its legal progress around the world
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Glossary Term Selection
By Matt Carter
Euthanasia is a practice that refers to an act that ends a person’s life to prevent agony.
This practice, already recognised in Greek times, is now described as an action to cause the death of an individual suffering from an incurable disease. This one causes intolerable mental and/or physical suffering. Euthanasia is done by a specialised doctor or under the patient’s own control.
Considering the fact that life expectancy has increased in industrialised countries followed by scientific and technological developments in the field of medicine, euthanasia is now a subject both very protected and sensitive.
Defining the term – not so simple
The acceleration of the end of life of a suffering person can be achieved by different means. These are not all being grouped under the term ‘euthanasia’ since the aim is not always the end of life itself.
Indeed, another practice, that of ‘assisted suicide’, provides an environment and means necessary for a person to carry out his...
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