Most people may not be aware of the choices they may have to make towards the end of their life. They also may not be aware of what an advance directive is. In order to make an informed decision they need to know what all of their options are. They should be aware of what end-of-life treatments are available and have an advance directive on file. There are three major things people should be aware of and those are the difference between a terminal illness and irretrievably dying, the criteria of uselessness and burdensome treatment, and lastly the forms of euthanasia. A terminal illness is a disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and that is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient within a short period of time.
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The three types of euthanasia are voluntary, involuntary, and nonvoluntary. Voluntary means consent was given, involuntary means something was done against your consent or wishes, and nonvoluntary means no consent was given. Passive voluntary euthanasia would be choosing to withhold or withdraw treatment; for example having a DNR is considered passive voluntary euthanasia. Passive involuntary euthanasia would be if the patient made his or her wishes known but they are not followed. Passive nonvoluntary euthanasia would be if a patient can not make their wishes known; for example Terry Schiavo would fall into this category since she was in a persistent vegetative state and unable to communicate her wishes. Active voluntary euthanasia would be when someone actively participates in their death; for example committing suicide or assisted suicide is active voluntary euthanasia. Active involuntary euthanasia is when someone else is actively participating in the death of another person; for example the death penalty and murder would fall into this category. Lastly, active nonvoluntary euthanasia is when someone actively participates in the death of another person without his or her consent; the best example for this would be an animal shelter that euthanizes their
The three types of euthanasia are voluntary, involuntary, and nonvoluntary. Voluntary means consent was given, involuntary means something was done against your consent or wishes, and nonvoluntary means no consent was given. Passive voluntary euthanasia would be choosing to withhold or withdraw treatment; for example having a DNR is considered passive voluntary euthanasia. Passive involuntary euthanasia would be if the patient made his or her wishes known but they are not followed. Passive nonvoluntary euthanasia would be if a patient can not make their wishes known; for example Terry Schiavo would fall into this category since she was in a persistent vegetative state and unable to communicate her wishes. Active voluntary euthanasia would be when someone actively participates in their death; for example committing suicide or assisted suicide is active voluntary euthanasia. Active involuntary euthanasia is when someone else is actively participating in the death of another person; for example the death penalty and murder would fall into this category. Lastly, active nonvoluntary euthanasia is when someone actively participates in the death of another person without his or her consent; the best example for this would be an animal shelter that euthanizes their