A response delayed by a timer attached to a patient's ventilator will solve the Israeli government's wish to introduce passive euthanasia for terminally ill people and to allow them to die with dignity.

A government bill setting down the process of passive euthanasia and safeguards to prevent abuse has been passed for its final reading by the labour, social affairs, and health committee of the country's Knesset (parliament). The full parliament is expected to approve the bill soon.

The bill was six years in the making and is the culmination of two years of work by a public committee of 58 members, including doctors, nurses, scientists, medical ethicists, social …