Abstract:

Today the life expectancy has obviously been extended in parallel with the overwhelming advancements in medical technology however this extension has also brought together quite significant problems in medical, social and economic aspects. In addition to that the number of the incidents with respect to chronicle diseases and cancers has gradually increased with the influence of stressful life style, biological and chemical outer factors. On the other hand the number of the people who have to survive being dependent on bed and in need of a permanent care as well as those who suffer unendurable pains by incurable diseases has also increased. At this stage, euthanasia, which has been a matter of dispute as well as a subject to films and books for ages, has emerged as an angel with wings on. Euthanasia is not only a subject of medical and ethical disputes but also includes philosophical, sociological and religious debates. Of course it has been primarily the subject of law in terms of application method. Once this study is mainly focused on the meaning of concepts and types of euthanasia it is aimed to reveal some different aspects apart from the other concepts in practice. After emphasizing some general debates of the legitimacy, the applicability of euthanasia in our country in terms of Turkish Criminal Law and other legislation is discussed

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