The Union Health Ministry has issued a draft of guidelines regarding passive euthanasia. The document, titled 'Draft Guidelines for Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally Ill Patients,' has been released by the ministry for feedback and suggestions from stakeholders before October 20. According to the draft, terminal illness is defined as an irreversible or incurable condition that will inevitably lead to death in the near future. The guidelines are based on four criteria: confirmation of brainstem death, expert medical advice indicating that aggressive treatment will not be beneficial, documented refusal by the patient or surrogate after understanding the prognosis, and compliance with procedures mandated by the Supreme Court. Dr. R V Asokan, the national President of the IMA, emphasized that such decisions have always been made in good faith by doctors in consultation with patients and their families. Passive euthanasia involves the deliberate withholding or withdrawal of medical interventions, allowing a patient to pass away naturally. This may include discontinuing treatments such as ventilators, feeding tubes, or medications that sustain life. Passive euthanasia differs from active euthanasia, which involves direct actions to cause death.The consideration of passive euthanasia arises in cases where individuals are afflicted by terminal illnesses, face no prospects of recovery, or exist in a persistent vegetative state. The decision for passive euthanasia is typically guided by the patient's preferences, advance directives, or input from family members and healthcare proxies in situations where the patient is unable to make decisions. Although ethically complex, passive euthanasia is legally permissible in many countries, subject to defined guidelines and circumstances. The impact of stress on skin and hairLegal regulation regarding euthanasia varies across different countries. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Spain allow euthanasia, while Switzerland permits assisted suicide. Canada allows both euthanasia and assisted suicide, and specific U.S. states like Oregon, Washington, and California permit assisted suicide under stringent controls. Colombia has also legalized euthanasia, with each jurisdiction establishing distinct criteria such as terminal illness or unbearable suffering that must be met for euthanasia or assisted suicide to be lawfully conducted.