Full Description
This timely work is a balanced overview of end-of-life issues related to euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Except for the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, there are no U.S. laws that allow physicians to assist patients in hastening death. Many who support physician-assisted suicide ask, "Why not?" After all, the Netherlands permits both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, and polls suggest that many Americans want that choice available to them.
Euthanasia: A Reference Handbook, Second Edition explores that question through a balanced, thoughtful discussion of the legal, medical, and spiritual components of end-of-life questions. What are the potential pitfalls of legalizing assisted suicide? How can the expenses of a lingering death impact an uninsured family? How would physician-assisted suicide impact healthcare costs? Through its objective exploration of these issues, as well as its historical and international perspective, this volume helps readers answer the difficult questions related to the end of life.
Includes the full text of documents such as the Hippocratic Oath and position statements from several religions
A detailed chronology pinpoints key events from the time of Hippocrates to current legal cases still being decided
Contents
Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1 Background and History History of Euthanasia Attitudes toward Euthanasia throughout History The History of Euthanasia Becomes Personal Examining the Issue Medical-Bioethical Spiritual-Social-Cultural Legal-Political Chapter 2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions Problems, Controversies, and Solutions Related to End-of-Life Issues Differentiating Between Key Concepts Medical-Bioethical Issues Spiritual-Social-Cultural Issues Legal-Political Issues Chapter 3 Worldwide Perspective Examining Euthanasia throughout the World United Kingdom Netherlands Australia Africa Canada France Germany Japan China Belgium Colombia Chapter 4 Chronology Chapter 5 Biographical Sketches Janet Adkins Dr. Pieter Admiraal Kevin Andrews Dr. Margaret Pabst Battin Pope Benedict XVI Dr. Daniel Callahan Diane Coleman Nancy Cruzan Dr. Kathleen Foley Dr. Faye Girsh Dr. Herbert Hendin Vincent Humbert Derek Humphry Pope John Paul II Dr. Jack Kevorkian Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross Luis Kutner Yale Kamisar Barbara Coombs Lee Rita Marker Dr. Philip Nitschke Dr. Edmund Pellegrino Dr. Gertruida Potsma Dr. Timothy Quill Karen Ann Quinlan Dr. James Rachels Dame Cicely Saunders Terri Schindler Schiavo Wesley J. Smith Joni Eareckson Tada Thomas Youk Chapter 6 Data and Documents Examining Facts, Data, and Documents Relevant to Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide Facts and Data Medical-Bioethical Spiritual-Social-Cultural Legal-Political Documents Medical-Bioethical Spiritual-Social-Cultural Legal-Political Quotations Medical-Bioethical Spiritual-Social-Cultural Legal-Political Chapter 7 Directory of Organizations Organizations in the United States Organizations Overseas Chapter 8 Resources Resources to Assist in the Study of Euthanasia Print Resources Nonprint Resources Databases Internet Sites Glossary Index About the Authors
