Legal Definitions - passive euthanasia

Passive euthanasia is a type of euthanasia where a person is allowed to die naturally, without any medical intervention to keep them alive. This is usually done when a person is suffering from an incurable disease or condition that causes them a lot of pain and discomfort.

For example, if a person is in a coma and is not expected to recover, their family may choose to stop any medical treatment that is keeping them alive, such as a ventilator or feeding tube. This would be considered passive euthanasia.

Passive euthanasia is different from active euthanasia, which involves taking deliberate steps to end a person's life, such as administering a lethal injection. Passive euthanasia is generally considered more acceptable from a moral and legal standpoint, as it allows a person to die naturally without any direct intervention.