The Illusion of Choice: Unpacking the Legal and Ethical Quagmire of Euthanasia in the 21st century

Abstract

Death has been considered a natural inevitable rite of passage for all humans universally. Unnatural causes of death through medication are a trend in the medical field that has sparked divergent debates all over the world. Whereas proponents revere patients’ autonomy and choice, critics opine that its legalization is muddled with ethical questions. Even though terminologies for life-ending medication vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, this article treats them as Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide. In this article, I highlight a brief historical context of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide laws, the scope and nature of these medical practices, and their ethical shortcomings.