Abstract
The continuing debate over the deeply controversial issue of physician- assisted suicide has been complicated by confusion about how this practice resembles or differs from refusal of life-sustaining treatment. Perspectives on ethics and policy hinge on the contested issue of whether a valid distinction can be made between assisted suicide and withdrawal of treatment. This paper uses three illustrative cases to examine leading arguments for and against the recognition of a fundamental distinction between these practices. The first case involves assisted suicide by ingestion of prescribed barbiturates, the second involves withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration, and the third involves a decision to stop eating and drinking. On theoretical and practical grounds, this paper defends the position that there is a valid distinction between assisted suicide and refusal of treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 470-475 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Annals of Internal Medicine |
Volume | 132 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 21 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine