The Former German Formula-1 racer Michael Schumacher was mentioned in the today before the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday, during the hearing on regulations for passive euthanasia.
While talking in context of advances in medical science, Justice Aniruddha Bose, pointed out,that if we look at the career of Stephen Hawking, at a very early stage, a prediction was there.”
The Senior Advocate Arvind Datar said that there is another side to it as well as many people have recovered even after 21 years.
Citing example of Michael Schumacher, advocate said that although the racer is still in a coma, but he is alive. We do not know if some stem cell research will revive him.
Justice Hrishikesh Roy agreed to this and added to we cannot generalise certain things as what is critical [illness] for an ordinary person of normal wealth, is not critical for other (Michael Schumacher).
A five-judge Bench of the top court had recognised and gave sanction to the passive euthanasia and living will/advance directives.
The Court had ruled that the right to life under Article 21 also means a right of life with dignity as well.
This also means that there should be the smoothening of the process of dying in case of a terminally ill patient or a person in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery.
The matter was listed again for the purpose of enforcing the guidelines concerning passive euthanasia.