Euthanasia and assisted dying rates are soaring. But where are they legal?
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It is available in a growing number of countries and jurisdictions – but not the UK, where it remains outlawed.
By Nicola Davis
What’s the difference between euthanasia, assisted dying and assisted suicide?
‘The main difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide is who performs the final, fatal act,’ said Richard Huxtable, professor of medical ethics and law at the University of Bristol.
Euthanasia refers to active steps taken to end someone’s life to stop their suffering and the ‘final deed’ is undertaken by someone other than the individual, for example a doctor. If the person concerned has requested this, it falls under the term ‘voluntary euthanasia’.
Assisted suicide is about helping someone to take their own life at their request – in other words the final deed is undertaken by the person themselves. Assisted dying can be used to mean both euthanasia, generally voluntary, and assisted suicide; however, some campaign groups use it to refer only to assisted suicide of termi...
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