Voluntary assisted dying: peak bodies must provide practical guidance

Abstract

Despite widespread reform in Australia, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) remains ethically opposed to voluntary assisted dying (VAD). This article argues that the AMA should abandon its opposition to VAD to fulfil better its mandate of providing the best outcomes for doctors, patients and the community. A neutral stance enables peak bodies to engage more fully in implementation and support diverse perspectives.

Keywords: ethics and law; euthanasia; physician-assisted suicide; voluntary assisted dying.