What are assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia?

Assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia are three terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have important distinctions.

Assisted Dying

Assisted dying refers to a practice in which a terminally ill patient is provided with the means to end their own life. This could involve a physician prescribing a lethal dose of medication that the patient can choose to take when they wish. Assisted dying is legal in some countries and US states, but is highly controversial and subject to strict regulations.

Assisted Suicide

Assisted suicide is a specific form of assisted dying in which a person actively participates in their own death. This could involve taking medication prescribed by a doctor or receiving assistance from a healthcare provider. Assisted suicide is also legal in some jurisdictions but is heavily regulated.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve their suffering. This could involve a healthcare provider administering a lethal dose of medication to a patient, or a patient self-administering such medication with the assistance of a healthcare provider. Euthanasia is illegal in most countries and is a highly contentious ethical issue.