On the misuse of the word "euthanasia"
You are right, Ish, that technically euthanasia means "a painless killing to end suffering", and does not require the consent of the recipient/victim. Thus, the Nazis, for example, practiced "euthanasia" on the mentally deficient.
Unfortunately, the word "euthanasia" is now used to apply, primarily, to cases of "assisted suicide", which does require the consent of the patient. I say unfortunately, because the word itself implies that the advocacy of "voluntary" suicide could easily slip over into the advocacy of "mercy killing", which does not involve consent. In short, it confuses the issue.
jbe
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