title: Physician-assisted suicide: the dangers of legalization.
abstract: The authors examine physician-assisted suicide in the light of what is known about suicide and terminal illness, exploring the potential for abuse if legalization occurs. The elderly, those frightened by illness, and the depressed of all ages would be potential victims. The authors discuss the cases that have received public attention as illustrative of these abuses.
authors.affiliation: American Suicide Foundation, New York, NY 10028.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hendin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Klerman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D004194:Disease / Q000523:psychology; D004552:Elder Abuse; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010819:Physician's Role; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D035501:Uncertainty; D035761:Wedge Argument