Euthanasia and related practices worldwide

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Legal Medicine
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Euthanasia, encompassing active and passive forms, is a complex global issue with significant legal, medical, and ethical dimensions.
• Public and professional interest in end-of-life practices, including euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, is substantial, yet empirical data on their prevalence remains scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the global occurrence and perceptions of active and passive euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.
• To explore the legal and religious aspects surrounding end-of-life decisions and practices.
• To identify discrepancies between legislation and actual medical practices concerning euthanasia.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted using questionnaires distributed to 49 national representatives of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
• The survey gathered data on legal status, religious viewpoints, and reported practices related to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide across various countries.

Main Results:

• A notable dichotomy exists between legal frameworks and medical practices regarding end-of-life care.
• Active euthanasia is reported to occur in 12 out of 49 surveyed countries.
• Passive euthanasia demonstrates widespread acceptance, contrasting with the legal status of active forms.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight a significant gap between the legality of euthanasia and its actual practice, particularly concerning passive forms.
• Clear definitions of active and passive euthanasia are crucial to prevent distortion of concepts and potential expansion of eligibility.
• The study underscores the need for further research into the extent and implications of various end-of-life practices globally.