title: The compassionate taking of life and assisted suicide.
abstract: Mercy killing. Assisted suicide. The dependent patient. Withholding treatment. The practice of medicine and the civil and criminal law. Legal protection for patients and doctors. The role of judges. The role of politicians.
authors.affiliation: Formerly University of Southampton Law School; Past President of the Medico-Legal Society.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samuels
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013727:Terminal Care; D028761:Withholding Treatment
keywords: human rights; law; legal system; medical law