In a landmark ruling, a South Korean appeal court upheld the authorisation of the country's first legal mercy killing, on Tuesday.
The Seoul High Court allowed the termination of life-sustaining treatment for a 76-year-old woman who has been brain-dead for a year, although it cannot yet be carried out pending an appeal by the hospital caring for her.
Is Euthanasia Justified?
Eluana Englaro, the comatose accident victim at the center of a right-to-die drama gripping Italy, died.
Eluana Englaro, the comatose accident victim at the center of a right-to-die drama gripping Italy, died.
The high court said in a ruling "that the termination of life-sustaining treatments is feasible considering all citizens' rights to dignity under the constitution and self-determination."
It warned, however, against the abuse of the ruling in other cases. "Human life is sublime and it must be treated with utmost care in any circumstances," the high court said.
Luxembourg Backs Euthanasia Bill
The Luxembourg parliament on Thursday supported a controversial bill to legalise euthanasia, which the Catholic head of state, Grand Duke Henri, is refusing to back.
The Luxembourg parliament on Thursday supported a controversial bill to legalise euthanasia, which the Catholic head of state, Grand Duke Henri, is refusing to back.
A lower court in November had allowed the brain-dead woman to be taken off feeding and ventilator tubes at the request of her children, but the Severance Hospital had appealed.
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Should the UK Adopt Dutch Rules on Euthanasia in Newborn Babies?
Euthanasia for newborn babies with lethal and disabling conditions is illegal worldwide, but in reality, its acceptance and practice vary between different countries.
Euthanasia for newborn babies with lethal and disabling conditions is illegal worldwide, but in reality, its acceptance and practice vary between different countries.
Hospital authorities noted that in 2004 doctors were charged with aiding murder after they removed life support systems from a brain-dead patient on a request from relatives.
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Australian Euthanasia Advocate Ends Her Own Life
75-year-old Australia euthanasia advocate Caren Jenning has ended her own life. Only recently she had been convicted for assisting the death of an Alzheimer’s sufferer.
75-year-old Australia euthanasia advocate Caren Jenning has ended her own life. Only recently she had been convicted for assisting the death of an Alzheimer’s sufferer.
The woman in the present case was declared brain-dead in February last year after she sustained brain damage and fell into a coma while undergoing a lung examination.
Three months later her children filed a court petition after the hospital rejected their request that she be allowed to die in peace and with dignity.
The family claimed that extending life using medical devices would prolong her "painful and meaningless" existence.
The court case follows the death Monday of Eluana Englaro, a comatose accident victim at the centre of a right-to-die drama gripping Italy.
Health Minister Maurizio Sacconi made the announcement, carried on Italian television, to the Senate moments after the chamber began its debate on controversial emergency legislation aimed at keeping Englaro alive.
Doctors in Udine, northeast Italy, stopped feeding the 38-year-old woman on Friday amid a flurry of efforts to keep her alive, with conservative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi accused of politicising the affair.
Source-AFP
TAN/L
