title: Asserting the right to life--a challenge to medical guidance on withdrawing treatment.
abstract: This paper analyses the English High Court decision of R (on the application of Burke) v General Medical Council and considers its implications for the future. Mr. Burke, relying on common law and the European Convention on Human Rights, succeeded in a challenge to the General Medical Council's Guidance on Withholding and Withdrawing Life-prolonging Treatment. He asserted his right to choose to be given treatment so as to live and condemned the Guidance as centred on the right to refuse treatment.
authors.affiliation: The Law School, University of East London, England.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010819:Physician's Role; D006113:United Kingdom; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*