Whats the difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia?
That’s a good question, because they are both quite the same – and illegal in most parts of the world. On closer examination, assisted suicide involves consent by doctors and the individual wishing to die. Either doctor or individual can administer the fatal dose of medication – intravenously or orally. This differs from euthanasia, which involves the deliberate killing of a person for the benefit of that individual. This would include intentionally giving large doses of medicine, such as morphine, that may speed up death. Exactly what is the law? Scots law finds both physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia to be illegal and can be considered culpable homicide. The consent of the individual would not be a defence and no degree of compassion on the part of the person who carried out the act would amount to a legal justification. However, no one has been charged with homicide. The law is more specific in England and Wales. The Suicide Act of 1961 says a person who “aids, abets, counsel
