title: The role of the courts, legislatures, and lawyers in treatment decisions.
abstract: During the past 10 years, the issues surrounding the right to refuse various forms of treatment have remained complex, and the development of appropriate societal responses has become more elusive. This article considers the role that the judiciary, the legislature, and the legal profession have played in the resolution of these medical, legal, and ethical dilemmas. The courts, legislatures, and lawyers will never be removed completely from involvement in these matters, nor should they be. Yet, a continuation of the medical profession's responsible approach to these issues will insure that their involvement will be kept to a minimum.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002651:Child Advocacy; D003657:Decision Making; D005065:Euthanasia; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012380:Role; D014481:United States