Death talk : the case against euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide /

Somerville (McGill Univ.) offers strong opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, putting the issue of euthanasia in historical perspective and in relationship to society today. Euthanasia is defined the way governments, health care providers, and consumers might define it--on a continuum: from administration of medications that might hasten death to relieve symptoms of terminal conditions (i.e., the use of narcotics to relieve pain); to withholding treatment; to deliberate administration of a substance with the prime intent of causing death. Somerville presents case studies that have been reviewed by the high courts of several countries (Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the US). She explores conditions that might lead someone to the choice of euthanasia, such as loss of usefulness, terminal illnesses, pain, loss of dignity, and being a burden, and discusses how these conditions should or could be addressed so people would not feel the need to end their lives. Euthanasia is examined from the perspective of ethics, law, economics, medicine, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, right to life, individual rights, societal responsibilities, politics, and competency. All persons, according to the author, should and can reject euthanasia to preserve civilized societies. Graduate students through professionals. M. L. Hopkins Elmira College