Basilio, a cocaine addict, sustained severe and irreversible brain damage because of an accidental overdose of drugs. After spending weeks in the hospital, he did not show any signs of improvement. His wife and children then decided to request the hospital authorities to remove his life-support system in order to allow Basilio to die. In this scenario, the withholding of the life-support system is an example of ________ euthanasia.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The withholding of life support system amounts to passive euthanasia. In passive euthanasia, treatment is withheld or withdrawn with the intention of allowing the person to die naturally, whereas in active euthanasia, an act is performed with the intention of ending someone's life. In this case, the family's intention was to let Basilio die naturally by removing life support. Natural euthanasia refers to the death that occurs due to natural causes unrelated to medical intervention. Culturally acceptable euthanasia is not a recognized category of euthanasia.

Basilio, a Cocaine Addict, Sustained Severe and Irreversible Brain Damage