Euthanasia, ethics, and public policy : an argument against legalisation / John Keown.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Keown, John, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Euthanasia.

Euthanasia--Moral and ethical aspects.

Euthanasia--Social aspects.

Terminal care--Moral and ethical aspects.

Terminal care.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xx, 318 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Other Title:

Euthanasia, Ethics & Public Policy

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2002.

System Details:

text file

PDF

Summary:

Whether the law should permit voluntary euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is one of the most vital questions facing all modern societies. Internationally, the main obstacle to legalisation has proved to be the objection that, even if they were morally acceptable in certain 'hard cases', voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide could not be effectively controlled; society would slide down a 'slippery slope' to the killing of patients who did not make a free and informed request, or for whom palliative care would have offered an alternative. How cogent is this objection? This book provides the general reader (who need have no expertise in philosophy, law or medicine) with a lucid introduction to this central question in the debate, not least by reviewing the Dutch euthanasia experience. It will interest all in any country whether currently for or against legalisation, who wish to ensure that their opinions are better informed.

Contents:

1 'Voluntary euthanasia' 9

2 Intended v. foreseen life-shortening 18

3 'Physician-assisted suicide' 31

Part II The ethical debate: human life, autonomy, legal hypocrisy, and the slippery slope 37

4 The value of human life 39

5 The value of autonomy 52

6 Legal hypocrisy? 58

7 The slippery slope arguments 70

Part III The Dutch experience: controlling VAE? condoning NVAE? 81

8 The guidelines 83

9 The first Survey: the incidence of 'euthanasia' 91

10 Breach of the guidelines 103

11 The slide towards NVAE 115

12 The second Survey 125

13 The Dutch in denial? 136

Part IV Australia and the United States 151

14 The Northern Territory: ROTTI 153

15 Oregon: the Death with Dignity Act 167

Part V Expert opinion 181

16 Expert committees 183

17 Supreme Courts 191

18 Medical associations 208

Part VI Passive euthanasia: withholding/withdrawing treatment and tube-feeding with intent to kill 215

19 The Tony Bland case 217

20 Beyond Bland: the BMA guidance on withholding/withdrawing medical treatment 239

21 The Winterton Bill 260.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9780511495335

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.