What is the term for hastening an individual's death through an act or procedure, often called mercy killing?

What is the term for hastening an individual's death through an act or procedure, often called mercy killing?

• A. Active Euthanasia
• B. Passive Euthanasia
• C. Assisted Suicide
• D. Palliative Care

Answer: (A)

Active euthanasia is the deliberate act of ending a person's life through a direct action, such as administering a lethal medication, typically at the patient’s request. This is different from passive euthanasia, which involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments so death occurs naturally. Assisted suicide means another person provides the means for death, but the patient performs the final act themselves. Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life without hastening death. Understanding these distinctions helps you recognize that the term described is the direct, purposeful cause of death through an action, which is what active euthanasia entails.

Active euthanasia is the deliberate act of ending a person's life through a direct action, such as administering a lethal medication, typically at the patient’s request. This is different from passive euthanasia, which involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments so death occurs naturally. Assisted suicide means another person provides the means for death, but the patient performs the final act themselves. Palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life without hastening death. Understanding these distinctions helps you recognize that the term described is the direct, purposeful cause of death through an action, which is what active euthanasia entails.