Understanding the Qualifying Factors and Legality of Euthanasia
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DOMedically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DOEuthanasia refers to compassionately letting, promoting, or causing the death of a dying person. It is most often used for a person who has a life-ending illness and is in extreme pain. The word euthanasia has its roots in the words "eu" and "thanatos," meaning a "good death."Though euthanasia is often used to reduce the pain of dying organisms, it presents complex issues when used in humans. Whether the practice is active versus passive and voluntary versus involuntary can further impact how it is viewed.
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Qualifying for "Death With Dignity"Euthanasia criteria and requirements for assisted suicide can differ by jurisdiction. To have the option to choose "death with dignity," you typically must be:An adult resident of a state or jurisdiction where the law allows euthanasia or assisted suicideHave the capacity to make and communicate your own healthcare decisionsDiagnosed with a terminal illness likely to cause death within six months, as confirmed by a healthcare providerCapable of self-administering and ingesting prescribed lethal medications without assistance in jurisdictions where only assisted suicide is allowedQualified to participate in euthanasia according to any additional qualifications determined by the jurisdictionA primary attending physician assists you during the process and writes the lethal end-of-life prescription if you qualify. A second certifying physician must certify that you meet the legal requirements of your jurisdiction.A variety of drugs are used to promote death. They include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, sedatives, and opioids. However, there is no consensus that a single drug or combination of drugs is most effective for ending a human life.A retrospective study that examined the experiences of almost 3,557 Canadians who died with medical assistance reported that self-administered medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was rare compared to the use of clinician-assisted medical assistance in dying when both were available. Researchers reported that the medications given for MAiD exhibited variability, but midazolam, lidocaine, propofol, and rocuronium were given far more often than any alternatives. With these regimens, most patients were immediately unconscious after the procedure started. In most cases, death occurred within three to 15 minutes of the injection.Legality of EuthanasiaIn the United StatesIn the United States, euthanasia is prohibited by the federal government and all 50 states based on general homicide laws. Some U.S. states allow assisted suicide, often referred to as "medical aid in dying." Laws regarding medical aid in dying exist in the following U.S. states and jurisdictions:CaliforniaColoradoHawaiiMaineMontanaNew MexicoNew JerseyOregon.VermontWashingtonWashington, D.C.Elsewhere in the WorldEuthanasia remains illegal in almost every country worldwide. However, this data is constantly evolving. Legislation changes continuously, criteria vary by jurisdiction, and terminology can cloud the definitions of euthanasia versus assisted suicide. In 2024, international human rights organizations indicated that the following countries allow euthanasia:Australia (only in Victoria and Western Australia)BelgiumCanadaColumbiaEcuadorLuxembourgThe NetherlandsSpainMany more countries allow some form of medical aid in dying or assisted suicide, though the circumstances and criteria can vary. These countries include:AustriaBelgiumCanadaFinlandGermanyItalyLuxembourgThe NetherlandsNew ZealandSpainSwitzerland
Classifications of EuthanasiaEuthanasia can be defined based on the following classifications:Active euthanasia:Sometimes called "aggressive" euthanasiaInvolves an act in which a medical professional or another person performs a deliberate act to cause a person to die, such as injection of a lethal dose of a drug or overdose of a drugPassive euthanasia:Involves an act in which an action is withheld or stopped to cause or hasten a person's death, such as the removal of a feeding tube or ventilator, refusal to perform a life-extending operation or provide life-extending drugs, or withholding of food, hydration (water), and oxygenationVoluntary euthanasia:Committed by a medical professional or other person with the willing and knowledgeable consent of the subject, usually with the administration of lethal drugsInvoluntary euthanasia:Committed when the person is unconscious or unable to give consent, usually when the person is permanently incapacitatedMay be performed based on permission from a court or family membersUsually involves an act such as withdrawing life support from a person with no signs of brain activity
Euthanasia vs. Assisted SuicideSimilaritiesHere is how euthanasia and assisted suicide are similar:Both are considered types of assisted death.Both involve a subject who has decided to hasten an inevitable and imminent death and has requested help in doing so.Both involve a subject who understands that the assistance they request will cause death and shorten the pain of their final hours.In both practices, the person or medical professional helping the subject intentionally performs actions they know will cause death.DifferencesThough both practices involve the same outcome, here is how they differ:With euthanasia, a healthcare provider, friend, family member, caregiver, or any other person takes action to cause a person's death, usually in the form of a drug injection.With assisted suicide, a healthcare provider prescribes a lethal drug, but the subject who wants to die takes the medication themselves.
Could Someone Travel Outside of the States for Euthanasia? (i.e., Euthanasia Tourism)The options for suicide tourism or traveling to a certain U.S. state or foreign country to access legal euthanasia are limited. Most countries and U.S. states that allow some form of medical aid in dying reserve the procedures for people who have been residents of the jurisdiction for a minimum amount of time. In the United States, Vermont and Oregon do not have a residency requirement.Worldwide, Switzerland is the only country that does not include residency limitations for assisted suicide. It also lacks a requirement for the subject to have an ongoing physician relationship, as other countries do. The practice of suicide tourism is supported by Swiss nonprofit right-to-die organizations such as Dignitas.
SummaryMuch of the debate about euthanasia is often muddled by the variety of practices involved. When terms such as assisted suicide, physician-assisted suicide, and medical assistance in dying enter the debate, the options can be confusing.Before the issue arises for yourself or a family member, learn about your options for dying with dignity in your state or jurisdiction. Knowing your rights and making your wishes known before the need arises can help you and your family be prepared if the worst occurs. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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