What term refers to the body’s reaction to dying when experiencing unbearable pain, often leading to a choice of euthanasia?

The term that refers to the body’s reaction to dying when experiencing unbearable pain and often leads to a choice of euthanasia is commonly understood as mercy killing. This concept encapsulates the idea of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve them of suffering, particularly in cases where they face extreme pain or a terminal illness. The term implies a compassionate approach, where the intention is to alleviate suffering rather than to harm.

While active euthanasia involves a direct intervention to end life, mercy killing is often used interchangeably in casual discussions to describe the compassionate intention behind such actions. This distinction highlights the moral and ethical considerations in end-of-life care, especially concerning patient autonomy and the relief from pain.

Other terms do not align with the context of the question. Anticipatory grief refers to the feelings of loss and sadness someone experiences when a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness but does not specifically address the immediate reaction to your own suffering. Palliative care is focused on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses without hastening death. Active euthanasia directly refers to taking specific steps to end life, which, while related, may not carry the same connotation of compassion as the phrase mercy killing does in popular discourse.