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Physician-Assisted Suicide
A Guide to Selected Government Publications Available at WIU's Government Publications Library (Prepared by Doug Ellerman - 2/97; updated 5/98; revised 6/06) Web version of this guide includes links to web resources. Federal Government Information
An Ethical Analysis of Withdrawal from Life-Sustaining Technologies and Assisted Death. This tells about some of the ethical problems and conclusions that can be drawn from assisted suicide. 1985.
Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the Netherlands.
Gives examples of how assisted suicide has changed in the Netherlands.
It also implies what will happen if the U.S. legalizes
physician-assisted suicide. 1996.
Pain Management and Improving End-of-Life Care.
A proposal to amend the Controlled Substances Act to advocate pain
management without the use of assisted suicide and euthanasia. 1999
Lethal Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 1998.
A bill offered to clarify the federal position that intentionally
providing a controlled substance with the intent to cause the suicide
or the euthanasia of any individual is not a legitimate medical purpose
and that doing so invites the revocation or suspension of drug
dispensation licensing. 1998
Euthanasia Practice in Holland.
This report reviews physician-assisted suicide as legally practiced in
the Netherlands and argues that the Dutch program results in lessening
of medical options and often reduces a patient's involvement in the
decision to terminate life. 1993
I'm Not Dead Yet.
This article opposes the current trend toward euthanasia of certain
terminally ill patients. Author describes her personal experiences with
her father's terminal illness to illustrate the medical profession's
eagerness to withhold life-sustaining treatments in certain cases, even
in cases where the patient expresses a strong desire to live. 1995
Easing the Passing.
This article discusses recent events relating to physician-assisted
suicide, including a ruling by a District Court judge in Washington
State. The author criticizes the judge for attempting to rewrite a
state statute, a responsibility reserved for legislators, and implies
that legalization might foster increased pressure by doctors or family
members to end life. 1994
Professional Integrity and Physician-Assisted Death.
This article talks about the concept of integrity as it applies to
physicians, then asks whether it is a violation of professional
integrity for a physician to assist in the suicide of a terminally ill
patient. The authors argue that, as a general rule, the practice of
assisting suicide does violate an established norm of professional
integrity, but can be justified in certain cases as a "last resort."
1995 Legal Information
"Michigan State Medical Society Mackinac Island Conference on Bioethics: a Deliberation on Ethics in Medicine."
Speeches and articles sparked by the recent Supreme Court rulings
against physician-assisted suicide, including a speech from Dr. Quill
(of Vacco v. Quill).
"Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: The Cases are in the Pipeline." Gives judges' rulings about assisted suicide and also tells the differences between assisted death and euthanasia.
"Doctor-Assisted Suicide Appeals Too Hard to Call: Some Hot-Button Issues Defy the Traditional Legal Analysis, Specialists Say." This is a brief article that talks about certain suicide appeals and other top issues that go against the legal norms.
"Lethal Compassion: Conflicting Federal Court Rulings Bring Assisted-Suicide Issue to the Forefront." Gives explanations of specific court cases dealing with physician-assisted suicide.
"Elder Choice: Right to Decline Medical Treatment."
A look at the problems elders face when they get very sick, including
the obstacles in choosing to die because of severe pain and suffering.
Death on Demand. A research guide featuring useful legal and non-legal material available on the topic of physician-assisted suicide. Vacco v. Quill. This unanimous Supreme Court decision reversed a 2nd Circuit decision that allowed physicians to prescribe medications to be self-administered by terminally ill, mentally competent patients. The Court disagreed with the lower court's opinion that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment was violated by the state statute. The Court makes the distinction between "allowing someone to die" and "causing someone to die." Washington v. Glucksberg. This Supreme Court decision reversed a 9nd Circuit decision that found the right to commit assisted suicide was protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court held that "not any and all important, intimate, and personal decisions" are fundamental liberty interests protected by the Fourteenth Amendment, and that the State has an interest in preserving and protecting human life.
"Three Strikes: Is An Assisted Suicide Right Out"?
This article analyzes landmark assisted suicide cases and contends that
there is no constitutional right, federal or state, to assisted
suicide.
"Assisted Dying". Oregon is the only state currently allowing
physician assisted suicide. This article looks at recent federal and
state cases and their differing outcomes.
"Assisted Suicide and Disability: Another Perspective".
This article asserts that society, the legal system, and a
profit-driven health care system discriminate against persons with
disabilities and that legalized assisted suicide invites the idea that
it is acceptable to kill those who are not perfect without an
examination of other options.
"Physician-Assisted Suicide and Public Virtue: A Reply to the Liberty Thesis of 'The Philosophers' Brief'". The 'Philosophers' Brief', submitted to the Supreme Court in its consideration of Washington v. Glucksburg and Vacco v. Quill,
stipulates that individuals have a constitutional right to arrange the
intimate details of their life. The author of this reply argues to the
contrary.
www.wiu.edu/library/govpubs/guides/suicide.htm
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