Euthanasia: a need for reform

Recent high profile right-to-die cases have served to heighten the confusion surrounding euthanasia, particularly in relation to active and passive euthanasia. It is apparent that the underlying philosophical basis of the active-passive distinction has led to distortions in the law surrounding this issue, which further compounds the confusion. It is time for a more honest approach to assistance in dying. In the long-term, reform is inevitable and may involve reclassifying passive and active euthanasia as life-terminating acts. Nurses need to have an understanding of the ethical and legal basis of euthanasia to acknowledge and define their possible future role in relation to the provision of life-terminating acts.