Negative euthanasia is a term used to describe the withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment. The phonetic transcription of this term is [nɛgətɪv juːθəˈneɪʒə], with the first syllable sounding like "neg", followed by the schwa sound in the second syllable. The stress then falls on the third syllable "θə", voiced as "thuh". The final syllable "neɪʒə" is pronounced with a long "a" sound followed by a "zh" sound, similar to the "s" in "pleasure". The correct spelling should be used to ensure clear communication in medical discussions.
Negative euthanasia, also known as passive euthanasia or the withholding or withdrawal of treatment, refers to the act of intentionally allowing a terminally ill or severely incapacitated individual to die naturally, by refusing or discontinuing medical procedures or treatments that would otherwise prolong their life. It is a type of euthanasia where the aim is not to cause the individual's death directly, but rather to let them expire naturally without medical intervention.
Negative euthanasia involves the cessation or non-initiation of life-sustaining treatment, such as ventilators, feeding tubes, or medications, which may artificially prolong the life of a patient nearing the end of their life or suffering from an irreversible condition. This decision is typically made in accordance with the patient's explicit instructions, often stated in advance care directives or living wills, or with the consent and agreement of their family or legal representatives.
The primary ethical goal of negative euthanasia is to respect the autonomy and dignity of the patient by allowing them to die with comfort and without unnecessary suffering. It is often seen as an act of compassion and mercy to refrain from futile or burdensome medical interventions that carry no reasonable chance of providing meaningful benefits to the patient.
Negative euthanasia should not be confused with active euthanasia, which involves the deliberate administration of lethal substances to directly cause the patient's death. The distinction lies in the primary intention and means employed to bring about the end of life.
The word "euthanasia" originates from the Greek language, with "eu" meaning "good" or "well" and "thanatos" meaning "death". Therefore, euthanasia can be translated as "good death" or "mercy killing".
The term "negative euthanasia", also known as passive euthanasia or non-intervention, is formed by adding the word "negative" as a qualifier. In this context, "negative" stands for the absence of an action or intervention, implying the withholding or withdrawal of medical treatment or life-sustaining procedures to allow a terminally ill patient to die naturally.
The etymology of "negative" traces back to the Latin word "negativus", which means "denied" or "opposite". It describes the negation or denial of something, such as inaction or non-intervention in the case of negative euthanasia.