title: The ethics of assisted suicide.
abstract: There is continuing national and international debate with reference to autonomy and the right to choose the manner and time of our death. It is now recognised that human life has a natural end and that, as such, it should not be preserved simply because a treatment exists. Three cases are briefly discussed which raise the issue of whether or not we should be permitted by law to choose how and when to die. The ethical principle of autonomy and the influence of religion are considered. Central to the debate about end-of-life choices is the recognition that not all persons can be healed and not all suffering can be relieved.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee, Kirkaldy, Fife.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D026686:Beneficence; D006801:Humans; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012297:Right to Die / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom