Withdrawal of life support system from terminally ill patients

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WITHDRAWAL OF LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM FROM TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS

Lok Sabha

Law Commission's report has recommended the setting up of a three-

member panel of reputed medical persons, to clear the decision to

withdraw Life Support System from the terminally ill and that

patients and their relatives should notify a High Court of the

decision, so that the doctor is immune from legal action.

The Commission has cited several decisions of USA, Britain, Canada

and Australia and maintained that withdrawal of Life Support System

from terminally ill patients has always been held lawful in all the

countries, while euthanasia is and continues to be unlawful. The

Government has examined the recommendation and is not in favour of

accepting the same.

This information was given by Minister of Law and Justice, Shri H. R.

Bhardwaj in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

RS/AS

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=32792