• Supreme Court altered the existing guidelines for ‘living will’ as laid down in Common Cause vs. Union of India & Another (2018), which allowed passive euthanasia.
  • Living will is a written document that specifies what actions should be taken if person is unable to make their own medical decisions in future.
• Euthanasia is practice of ending life of a patient to limit the patient’s suffering. It can be administered only by a physician.
• Euthanasia can be either active’ or ‘passive:
  • Active euthanasia involves an active intervention to end a person’s life with substances or external force, such as administering lethal injection. Allowed in Netherland, Belgium, Canada etc.
  • Passive euthanasia refers to withdrawing life support or treatment that is essential to keep a terminally ill person alive. Allowed in India, Finland, Germany etc.
• Major judgements related to Euthanasia
  • Rathinam Case (1994): Struck down section 309 of IPC (attempt to suicide) as unconstitutional.
  • Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011): SC allowed passive euthanasia for first time.

Changes by Supreme court with respect to passive Euthanasia

• Living will– An attestation by a notary or a facetted officer to be sufficient for a living will
• Access to the living will– living will a part of national health record which can be accessed by Indian hospitals
• Primary board to examine patients condition -Three doctors, including treating physician and two other doctors with five years of experience in the specialty, will comprise the primary board of doctors
• Time taken to decide– Primary/secondary board to decide within 48 hours on withdrawal of further treatment
• Secondary board– Hospital must immediately constitute a secondary board of medical experts.