- As the popular saying goes, humanity is perpetually evolving, revolutionizing the way humankind keeps pace with evolution itself. The dynamism surrounding evolution must be kept pace with the overall benefit of humanity. Since times immemorial, our ancestors have been most adept at not only embracing the fast-changing needs of the time but also contributing immensely to further innovating the new inventions with great dexterity. We are aware of the maxim that necessity is the mother of all inventions, coming to the fore time and again, hugely making our lives so livable. As society progresses, the evolving requirements of the time should also be considered holistically. And the subject matter deserves some serious consideration for India, too.
PC: India Today
- Euthanasia or assisted dying has been considered seriously in some of the most progressive nations in the world in the last few decades. The mere mention of assisted dying sounds morbid to most of us, and rightly so. Even though the advancements in the medical field have reached stratospheric levels in the present times, certain illnesses/diseases (terminally ill) continue to pose tremendous challenges to the medical fraternity to conquer them. When certain illnesses are beyond the realm of medicine to treat and/or manage the same from spreading further, it makes pragmatic sense to consider easing the pain of the sufferer and the family to decide on a peaceful resting for eternity. Here, Euthanasia makes eminent sense to ease the pain of all concerned.
PC: Sky News
- Of course, the matter is extremely sensitive, emotional, and heart-wrenching, apart from the legal and medical conundrum surrounding euthanasia. Thus, the UK’s lower house voting for the assisted dying bill must be considered a momentous law. Needless to mention, the conversation must start in India as well. After rejecting versions of the bill in 1997 and 2015, the UK lower house voted for a law to allow assisted dying in England and Wales. This means patients terminally ill, as defined in law, and likely to die within six months, can apply for an exit. The legislation will have to be set in motion within four years, i.e., 2029. If delayed in the Lords – it’s highly contested and the lower house win was by just 23 votes, the bill will lapse.
PC: Live Law
- It may not be done and dusted yet, but a historic social change has begun. Exhaustive debates and tweaks to the bill included dropping the provision of a judge having to sign off on the decision. Importantly, no other person is obliged to take part. Patients will have to administer the drugs, whatever is decided, themselves, so it’s a first step to active euthanasia. Reportedly, the UK govt estimates there may be 4,000 such patients. The Indian reality is that terminally ill people and families are often left to fend for themselves due to a lack of access to treatment and/or affordability of care. The SC upheld advanced directives, the right to refuse treatment: passive euthanasia. The conversation should be taken forward in India. It’s a progressive step.
