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Review * Synthèse

Bioethics for clinicians: 11. Euthanasia and assisted suicide

J. V. Lavery, B. M. Dickens, J. M. Boyle and P. A. Singer
CMAJ May 15, 1997 156 (10) 1405-1408;
J. V. Lavery
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B. M. Dickens
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J. M. Boyle
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P. A. Singer
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Abstract

Euthanasia and assisted suicide involve taking deliberate action to end or assist in ending the life of another person on compassionate grounds. There is considerable disagreement about the acceptability of these acts and about whether they are ethically distinct from decisions to forgo life-sustaining treatment. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are punishable offences under Canadian criminal law, despite increasing public pressure for a more permissive policy. Some Canadian physicians would be willing to practise euthanasia and assisted suicide if these acts were legal. In practice, physicians must differentiate between respecting competent decisions to forgo treatment, providing appropriate palliative care, and acceeding to a request for euthanasia or assisted suicide. Physicians who believe that euthanasia and assisted suicide should be legally accepted in Canada should pursue their convictions only through legal and democratic means.

  • Copyright © 1997 by Canadian Medical Association
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CMAJ
Vol. 156, Issue 10
15 May 1997
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Bioethics for clinicians: 11. Euthanasia and assisted suicide
J. V. Lavery, B. M. Dickens, J. M. Boyle, P. A. Singer
CMAJ May 1997, 156 (10) 1405-1408;

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Bioethics for clinicians: 11. Euthanasia and assisted suicide
J. V. Lavery, B. M. Dickens, J. M. Boyle, P. A. Singer
CMAJ May 1997, 156 (10) 1405-1408;
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