Assisted dying can take two forms. Assisted suicide, or physician-assisted death, is when a “physician provid[es] a patient who requests aid-in-dying a prescription that the patient can self-administer to end his or her life,” said the National Institute of Health. Physician-assisted suicide is different from physician-administered suicide, also called euthanasia, when the doctor can administer the prescription themselves. Assisted dying usually applies to patients suffering terminal illnesses who choose to die more peacefully. The practice is hotly contested and is still illegal in most of the world. However, a handful of countries have opted to allow the practice and others are discussing its legalization.
Where assisted dying is legal
Sign up for The Week’s Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Where assisted dying is in consideration
Explore More