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Simple English definitions for legal terms
passive mercy killing
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A quick definition of passive mercy killing:
Passive mercy killing, also known as dyathanasia, is when someone allows a person to die naturally by not giving them treatments or interventions that could prolong their life. This is different from active euthanasia, which involves taking action to end someone's life. Passive mercy killing is sometimes used when a person is suffering from a terminal illness and does not want to undergo painful treatments that may not cure them. It is also sometimes used when a person is in a vegetative state and there is no hope of recovery. Passive mercy killing is illegal in some places and controversial in others.
A more thorough explanation:
Passive mercy killing, also known as dyathanasia, is the act of allowing a person to die naturally by withholding or terminating life-prolonging treatments or interventions. It is a form of euthanasia where the person is not actively killed, but allowed to die peacefully.
If a person is suffering from a terminal illness and is on life support, their family may choose to remove the life support and allow the person to pass away naturally. This is an example of passive mercy killing.
Another example is if a person has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in place, medical professionals will not perform life-saving measures if the person's heart stops beating or they stop breathing. This is also a form of passive mercy killing.
Passive mercy killing is legal in some countries and states, but it is a controversial topic with ethical and moral implications.