If it comes to choosing between methods of last resort for severely suffering, physician-assisted suicide will probably prove more acceptable as a method of last resort than active euthanasia both to patients, to legislators and to the general public. From the perspective of patients, physician-assisted suicide is a more unambiguous expression of the patient's autonomous will. From the legislator's perspective it seems less liable to misuse and abuse. And often the availability of assisted suicide, instead of shortening the life of a patient, has proved to prolong it. Public policy has begun to respond to this prospect. Notably in Switzerland and Germany, the attitudes of public bodies towards physician-assisted suicide are in a process of change, partly motivated by the wish to take the edge off the pressure for legalisation of active euthanasia.

The present volume focuses on public policy issues related to physician-assisted suicide. It offers a detailed analysis of the current legal standing and practice of physician-assisted suicide in various countries and discusses the ethical principles underlying its legal and professional regulation. In addition, it contains a number of personal narratives by professionals who have for many years been involved in end-of-life issues.

Résumé

From the perspective of patients, physician-assisted suicide is a more unambiguous expression of the patient's autonomous will. From the legislator's perspective it seems less liable to misuse and abuse. And often the availability of assisted suicide, instead of shortening the life of a patient, has proved to prolong it. Public policy has begun to respond to this prospect. Notably in Switzerland and Germany, the attitudes of public bodies towards physician-assisted suicide are in a process of change, partly motivated by the wish to take the edge off the pressure for legalisation of active euthanasia.

Contenu

Physician-Assisted Suicide and Public Policy.- Should Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legalized?.- Slippery Slopes and Physician-Assisted Suicide.- Physician-Assisted Suicide and the Medical Associations.- Safe, Legal, Rare? Physician-Assisted Suicide and Cultural Change in the Future.- Palliative Options of Last Resort: A Comparison of Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking, Terminal Sedation, Physician-Assisted Suicide, and Voluntary Active Euthanasia.- Physician-Assisted Suicide - An International Perspective.- Physician-Assisted Suicide in Oregon.- Physician-Assisted Suicide in the Netherlands and Belgium.- Physician-Assisted Suicide and the German Criminal Law.- Physician-Assisted Death An Australian Perspective.- Assisted Dying: The View from the United Kingdom.- Physician-Assisted Suicide - Narratives from Professional and Personal Experience.- Physician-Assisted Suicide: A Doctor's Perspective.- Physician-Assisted Suicide in Switzerland: A Personal Report.- The European Convention on Human Rights Protects the Right to Suicide.