title: Avoiding a fate worse than death: an argument for legalising voluntary physician-based euthanasia.
abstract: The legalisation of voluntary physician-based euthanasia is currently the subject of much political, social and ethical debate and there is evidence in Australia of growing support for its implementation. In addressing many of the issues that surround legalisation, the article looks at some overseas jurisdictions that have legalised euthanasia to determine whether the social, political and ethical concerns prominent in the Australian debate have proved problematic in other jurisdictions. In addition, the article examines the report on the Dying with Dignity Bill 2009 (Tas) which commented extensively on the issues relating to voluntary physician-based euthanasia.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Law, University of New England. jwerren@une.edu.au
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Werren
authors.forename: Necef
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Saxon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D033101:Euthanasia, Active, Voluntary / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013557:Switzerland; D014481:United States