The question of euthanasia has come to the fore in India recently as a petition has been put forth before the Delhi High Court. The petition seeks to prevent an individual, who has been afflicted with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since 2014, from traveling to Europe for a physician-assisted euthanasia.
Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a severe disease that impacts various aspects of an individual’s health. It affects the nervous system, the immune system, and the body’s energy production. Also referred to as “Myalgic Encephalomylitis”, this condition can result from several factors, including viral or bacterial infection, hormonal imbalances, and genetic predispositions. It doesn’t discriminate between age groups, affecting both children and adults.
Symptoms & Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The illness drastically reduces an individual’s ability to perform activities that were once routine and causes fatigue that is far more intense than normal tiredness. This exhaustion can last for at least 6 months or even longer. The most identifiable symptom of this condition is Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM). PEM refers to a significant drop in physical and mental energy after engaging in even mild activities like grocery shopping or brushing teeth.
Other symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include trouble sleeping, difficulty thinking or concentrating, memory retention issues, dizziness, headaches, muscle pain, tender lymph nodes, joint pain, flu-like symptoms, and digestive problems. There’s no specific test to diagnose this disorder, and doctors generally depend on medical examinations and blood/urine tests. Some recommended ways to manage these symptoms include “Pacing”, which involves patients learning to balance rest and activity in order to avoid crashes caused by exertion.
Euthanasia: An Overview
Euthanasia is a procedure that involves ending a patient’s life to alleviate their suffering. This is usually considered for patients who are terminally ill or in great pain and discomfort. There are two types of euthanasia: active and passive. Active euthanasia involves ending a patient’s life through direct methods, such as injecting them with a lethal drug dose. This is sometimes referred to as “aggressive” euthanasia.
On the other hand, passive euthanasia means allowing a patient to die naturally by withholding artificial life support. Euthanasia can also be categorized as voluntary, with the patient’s consent, or involuntary, without the patient’s consent, such as when the patient is unconscious and their wishes are unknown.
Legal Provisions for Euthanasia in India
The legal landscape for euthanasia in India has been evolving over the years. In 1994, with the case of Gian Kaur vs State of Punjab, the Supreme Court stated that both assisted suicide and euthanasia were unlawful. The ruling held that the right to life does not include the right to die.
However, this stance shifted over time. In the 2011 case of Aruna Ramchandra Shanbaug vs Union of India, passive euthanasia was deemed permissible in exceptional circumstances and under the strict monitoring of the apex court. In a landmark judgement in 2018, the Supreme Court declared the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right, thus permitting passive euthanasia in India.