What are assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia?

Assisted dying, assisted suicide, and euthanasia are all terms used to describe the process by which a person is helped to end their own life. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are key differences between them.

Assisted Dying

Assisted dying is a broad term that refers to the act of helping someone to end their own life. This can involve a range of interventions, from providing information about how to obtain and use life-ending medication to physically assisting the person in ending their life.

Assisted Suicide

Assisted suicide specifically refers to a situation in which a person provides another person with the means to end their own life, such as a prescription for lethal medication. The person ultimately carries out the act of ending their own life.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending someone’s life in order to relieve their suffering. This can be done by a healthcare professional administering a lethal dose of medication, for example. Euthanasia is often a more contentious issue than assisted dying or assisted suicide, as it involves a third party taking an active role in ending the person’s life.

Overall, these terms are all used to describe situations in which a person’s life is intentionally ended with their consent in order to end suffering. The ethical, legal, and moral implications of these practices vary widely, with different countries and states having different laws and regulations surrounding them.