Supreme Court to review guidelines on passive euthanasia and living wills
The Supreme Court of India is set to review its 2018 guidelines on passive euthanasia and living wills, prompted by concerns over their practical implementation. The existing framework, which allows individuals to refuse medical treatment in advance, has faced challenges due to complex procedural requirements, including multiple layers of medical board approvals. The review aims to simplify these procedures to make the "right to die with dignity" more accessible and effective for terminally ill patients. This involves balancing individual autonomy with safeguards against misuse, ensuring that the process is less cumbersome while upholding ethical and legal considerations.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court is reviewing its 2018 guidelines on passive euthanasia and living wills due to implementation difficulties.
- The current guidelines, while upholding the "right to die with dignity," involve complex procedural requirements and multiple medical board approvals.
- The review aims to simplify the process to make passive euthanasia more accessible for terminally ill patients.
- The court seeks to balance individual autonomy with necessary safeguards to prevent misuse of living wills.
- The case highlights the ongoing legal and ethical debate surrounding end-of-life decisions in India.
Exam Facts
- The Supreme Court's 2018 judgment recognized the "right to die with dignity" as part of Article 21.
- The 2018 judgment laid down guidelines for passive euthanasia and living wills.
- The current guidelines require approval from two medical boards.
- The case was brought before a five-judge Constitution Bench.
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