Citation

Birnbacher D. Ethik Med. 2015; 27(4): 315-324.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00481-015-0337-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Definition of the problem: The method of voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) has a long tradition, going back, as far as we know, to Antiquity. Recently, it has gained new interest among elderly persons who confront their death and want to retain a certain measure of control over the time and circumstances of their dying. The question arises whether VSED can or should be classified as a form of "passive suicide", i.e. a suicide by intentional omission. Arguments: On the background of the WHO definition of suicide, the article argues for an affirmative answer.

CONCLUSION: In spite of this, there remain important ethical differences between VSED and "classical" forms of suicide. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Language: de

Keywords

Suicide; Aid in dying; Commission; Omission; VSED