Advances in medical treatment now enable physicians to prolong life to a previously unknown extent, however in many instances these new techniques mean not the saving of life but prolonging the act of dying. In the eyes of many, medical technology has run out of control and contributes to unnecessary suffering. Hence the demand has arisen that patients should be entitled to choose death when pain and physical and mental deterioration have destroyed the possibility of a dignified and meaningful life and that their doctors should help them to realize this endeavor. At the present time there are seven jurisdictions in the world that, with various restrictions, have legalized the practice of assisted death -- physician-assisted suicide and/or voluntary euthanasia - to wit, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland in Europe and the states of Oregon, Washington and Montana in the United States. Four of these regimes - in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the state of Oregon -- have been functioning for many years, and we have for them a substantial body of data as well as much observational research. This book is based upon this material. The literature dealing with the moral, legal and social aspects of assisted death is voluminous, but there is a paucity of writing that provides a detailed account of the way these four regimes are actually working. Many partisans, on both sides of the issue, cite existing data selectively or, at times, willfully distort the empirical evidence in order to strengthen their case. Based on the documentary record and interviews with officials and scholars, this book seeks to give the specialist as well as the general interested reader a reliable picture of the way assisted death functions and to draw relevant lessons. While accurate factual information cannot settle a moral debate, it nevertheless is a precondition of any well-founded argument. 'The author speaks authoritatively about the issues he addresses. I think this book does make an important contribution to the field. It will be of interest to students and scholars of PAS as a source of information and reference. I definitely recommend publication.' Stuart Youngner, Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine 'The information collected here makes an important contribution to the literature on PAS because it collects a broad array of relevant information into a single volume. It is interesting and enlightening. This will make the book a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject and an especially useful resource for academics who study or teach about the issues.' Rosamond Rhodes, Director, Bioethics Education, Mt Sinai School of Medicine

Highly Recommended by CHOICE

About the Author
Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Reviews
This is not an ethical analysis but a thoroughly documented treatment of the facts - positive and negative - working from the assumption that, while the facts cammpt settle the ethics, any ethical debate must consider the facts. As such, the book has the potential to make a valuable contribution to readers' understanding of a very important public policy issue * C.D. Kay, CHOICE *
This is a stimulating and thought-provoking book that provides accurate, up-to-date and objective information on what is arguably the most sensitive subject in palliative care * John Costello, International Journal of Palliative Nursing *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199746415
Author Guenter Lewy
Format Hardback
Page Count 266
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 414g
Dimensions(mm) 146mm * 216mm * 20mm