Euthanasia Examined
Ethical, Clinical and Legal Perspectives

This book discusses thoroughly the major ethical, legal and clinical issues involved in the euthanasia debate.

John Keown (Edited by), Daniel Callahan (Foreword by)

9780521586139, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 June 1997

360 pages, 4 b/w illus. 8 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.53 kg

'… highly recommended to newcomers as a clear guide to practice and knowledge.' Journal of The Royal Society of Medicine

Whether euthanasia or assisted suicide should be legalised is one of the most pressing and profound questions facing legislators, health-care professionals, their patients and indeed all members of society. Regrettably, the debate is too often characterised by rhetoric rather than reason. This book aims to inform the debate by acquainting anyone interested in this vital question with some of the major ethical, legal and clinical and theological issues involved. The essays it contains are authoritative, balanced and readable: authoritative in that they have been commissioned from some of the world's leading experts; balanced in that they reflect divergent viewpoints (including a vigorous debate between two eminent philosophers); and readable in that they should be readily intelligible to the general reader. This accessible, fair and learned collection should enlighten all who wish to be better informed about the debate surrounding this momentous issue.

Foreword Daniel Callahan
Introduction John Keown
1. Euthanasia and the value of life John Harris
2. A philosophical case against euthanasia John Finnis
3. The philosophical case against euthanasia John Harris
4. The fragile case for euthanasia: a reply to John Harris John Finnis
5. Final thoughts on final acts John Harris
6. Misunderstanding the case against euthanasia: response to Harris's first reply John Finnis
7. Euthanasia: back to the future Kenneth Boyd
8. The case for legalising voluntary euthanasia Jean Davies
9. Extracts from the Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics
10. Walton, Davies, Boyd and the legalization of euthanasia Luke Gormally
11. Where there is hope, there is life: a view from the hospice Robert Twycross
12. Letting vegetative patients die Brian Jennett
13. A case for sometimes tube-feeding patients in persistent vegetative state Joseph Boyle
14. Dilemmas at life's end: a comparative legal perspective Dieter Giesen
15. Physician-assisted suicide: the last bridge to active voluntary euthanasia Yale Kamisar
16. Euthanasia in the Netherlands: sliding down the slippery slope? John Keown
17. Advance directives: a legal and ethical analysis Stuart Hornett
18. Theological aspects of euthanasia Anthony Fisher
Index.

Subject Areas: Ethical issues: euthanasia & right to die [JFME]