A role for judges in assisted dying

J Med Ethics Hist Med. 2009 May 30:2:3. Print 2009.

Abstract

Medically provoked death, whether euthanasia or assisted suicide, is a common issue for discussion in various forums, participants coming from widely differing fields of knowledge, among who are, of course, doctors. Substantial legal differences exist in Europe on this issue and in an ever-wider Europe, it is essential, for practical reasons, that legislation be standardised. We would like to propose possible regulations that would provide effective safeguards in the application of euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Keywords: Assisted suicide; End of life decisions; Euthanasia; Law.