Do those afflicted with dementia have a moral duty to die? A response to Baroness Warnock.
In October 2008 Baroness Warnock, medical ethicist and veteran British governmental advisor, claimed that an individual afflicted with dementia may have a moral duty to die when their continued living "wastes" the lives of others and the resources of the National Health Service. Her comments were widely publicised and largely condemned by those who responded. In this paper I consider the comments made by Baroness Warnock. She claims that some individuals and groups within society may have a moral duty to die when their lives become burdensome either to themselves or to others. I conclude that no-one has a moral duty to die, but especially not those who are afflicted with dementia.
Malpas
Phillipa J
PJ
Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. p.malpas@auckland.ac.nz
D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D012297:Right to Die; D006113:United Kingdom; D026712:Value of Life