It is called to action to cause the death of a terminally ill or severely disabled on a voluntary basis. This can be done through the administration of any substance or deprivation of any treatment or therapy.

These procedures are currently illegal in most parts of the world. Only a few countries like the Netherlands have legalized the possibility of euthanasia in certain cases.

History

The concept of euthanasia has not emerged in the modern era. This dilemma has arisen in other times in history under different viewpoints. The discussion and can be found among Greeks who talked about death with dignity.

Over the years there have been different positions, which collide with the highest ethical, moral and religious supporters and detractors. So, the debate has reached today.

For some, the person has a total and absolute right about their existence to the point where they decide when circumstances due to severe health and physical suffering and not want to continue.

For others the right to life can not be ignored by permission of inducing death on a voluntary basis. Prices that the right thing is to help sustain life whenever possible.

Currently Spain euthanasia remains criminally convicted. The European Union was legalized in some cases in the Netherlands and Belgium. This practice is also referred to in certain circumstances in the State of Oregon in the USA.

Types of eutanasia

It differs in many occasions between active and passive euthanasia. The first is one that takes place on a voluntary basis through the administration of any substance or drug. The passive be produced by the absence of a treatment or therapy that we know is necessary to prolong the patient's life.

It also differs in some cases between direct and inadvertent. The first is the one that occurs as a direct cause of a voluntary action. The second is reserved for cases in which death is caused by some treatment, but with no intention of being the same.

The involuntary euthanasia occurs in those cases in which to alleviate the pain and suffering patients are administered very strong drugs that can stop killing, but that this is the intention.

This case if it is legal, as long as the drugs and the amounts administered in each case are appropriate and proved that they were disproportionate and had another purpose.

Brief Cases

Among the best known and most recent cases in Spain is that of Ramon San Pedro, whose story gave rise to a movie, Sea to the inside.

This was a person who after having suffered an accident in 25 years had been quadriplegic. Court asked to assist it to end their life, because by itself it was impossible.It was the first time this has happened in Spain. The judges denied this possibility.

Another known case was that of Terri Schiavo in 2005. This was a woman who took more than fifteen years in a vegetative state and that remained alive thanks to be connected to the machines.

The husband requested the right to sue unplug and let die. Parents of women opposed this request, but finally judges authorized the disconnection.

Testament vital in Spain

It is a document to a notary where one can leave when it is in full power what would be their wishes in case you are prevented from expressing their views.

The request for euthanasia would not be respected, although included in the document for being illegal, but whether there is a possibility to refuse certain treatments.

The legality and implementation of these documents is compromised. Moreover, in many cases leading to emergency medical professionals have to act without knowing the will of the patient.