Aid-in-dying: should we decriminalize physician-assisted suicide and physician-committed euthanasia?
Recent news stories, medical journal articles, and two state voter referenda have publicized physicians' providing their patients with aid-in-dying. This Note distinguishes two components of aid-in-dying: physician-assisted suicide and physician-committed voluntary active euthanasia. The Note traces these components' distinct historical and legal treatments and critically examines arguments for and against both types of action. This Note concludes that aid-in-dying measures should limit legalization initiatives to physician-assisted suicide and should not embrace physician-committed voluntary active euthanasia.
CeloCruz
M T
MT
Smith College.
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028601:Euthanasia, Active; D033101:Euthanasia, Active, Voluntary; D006801:Humans; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010820:Physicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012945:Social Values; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States; D026712:Value of Life