What are assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia?

Assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia are all terms that refer to the practice of helping someone to end their life in order to relieve suffering. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between them:

Assisted Dying

Assisted dying refers to the situation where a terminally ill person is provided with the means to end their own life, such as a prescription for lethal medication. This allows the person to take the final step themselves when they are ready.

Assisted Suicide

Assisted suicide is similar to assisted dying, but typically involves a more direct role from another person in helping the individual to end their life. This could involve administering the lethal medication or providing other assistance in the act of suicide.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia involves a third party, such as a doctor or healthcare provider, directly administering a lethal substance to end a person’s life at their request. This is often done when the person is unable to take the final step themselves.

While these practices are controversial and heavily regulated in many countries, they are sometimes seen as a compassionate option for individuals who are suffering from terminal illness and have no hope of recovery.