Citation

Duttge G. Zeitschrift fur Medizinische Ethik 2009; 55(3): 257-270.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009)

DOI

10.14623/zfme.2009.3.257-270

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Assisted suicide, a potential "new way to die humanely", has found its way to the forefront of current public interest as euthanasia groups such as Dignitas are receiving widespread attention. As a consequence, the legality of such acts has come into question, specifically the role of the attending physician. Assessment from a legal perspective requires exact knowledge of current legal positions and of their underlying assumptions regarding the option as well as the appraisal of "deliberate suicide".From this legal perspective attempts to criminalize "commercial" or "organized" suicide assistance raise certain objections. The call to employ physicians in assisted suicide brings up questions about the decisionmaking powers, juxtaposing law and medicine. The author concludes that clarification of the role played by the physician is imperative where the problem of an "undignified death" arises, i.e. when determining the limits of a "reasonable" prolongation of life. © Zeitschrift für medizinische Ethik.All rights reserved.

Language: de

Keywords

legislation; assisted suicide; medical profession; right-to-die-organizations