Drugs Used for Assisted Suicide

Bioethics Council Rejects Assisted Suicide Option

Internal Medicine News ◽

10.1016/s1097-8690(05)72312-x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 38 (21) ◽

pp. 84

Author(s):

JOYCE FRIEDEN

Keyword(s):

Assisted Suicide

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Acceptability of Assisted Suicide in Patients With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000248 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sophie Gloeckler ◽

Manuel Trachsel

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Psychiatric Diagnosis ◽

Assisted Suicide ◽

Shared Values ◽

Psychiatric Nurses ◽

Attitudes And Beliefs ◽

Future Studies ◽

Persistent Mental Illness ◽

Moral Attitudes

Abstract. In Switzerland, assisted suicide (AS) may be granted on the basis of a psychiatric diagnosis. This pilot study explored the moral attitudes and beliefs of nurses regarding these practices through a quantitative survey of 38 psychiatric nurses. The pilot study, which serves to inform hypothesis development and future studies, showed that participating nurses supported AS and valued the reduction of suffering in patients with severe persistent mental illness. Findings were compared with those from a previously published study presenting the same questions to psychiatrists. The key differences between nurses’ responses and psychiatrists’ may reflect differences in the burden of responsibility, while similarities might capture shared values worth considering when determining treatment efforts. More information is needed to determine whether these initial findings represent nurses’ views more broadly.

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Risus Sardonicus: Assisted Suicide or Ritual Violent Euthanasia?

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000200 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 71-81

Author(s):

Antonio Preti

Keyword(s):

Assisted Suicide

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Euthanasia and Related Practices Worldwide

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910.19.3.109 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 109-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Michael J Kelleher † ◽

Derek Chambers ◽

Paul Corcoran ◽

Helen S Keeley ◽

Eileen Williamson

Keyword(s):

Assisted Suicide ◽

International Association ◽

Active Euthanasia ◽

Physician Assisted Suicide ◽

Passive Euthanasia ◽

Medical Practitioners ◽

General Acceptance ◽

International Importance ◽

Controversial Area ◽

Active And Passive Euthanasia

The present paper examines the occurrence of matters relating to the ending of life, including active euthanasia, which is, technically speaking, illegal worldwide. Interest in this most controversial area is drawn from many varied sources, from legal and medical practitioners to religious and moral ethicists. In some countries, public interest has been mobilized into organizations that attempt to influence legislation relating to euthanasia. Despite the obvious international importance of euthanasia, very little is known about the extent of its practice, whether passive or active, voluntary or involuntary. This examination is based on questionnaires completed by 49 national representatives of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), dealing with legal and religious aspects of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, as well as suicide. A dichotomy between the law and medical practices relating to the end of life was uncovered by the results of the survey. In 12 of the 49 countries active euthanasia is said to occur while a general acceptance of passive euthanasia was reported to be widespread. Clearly, definition is crucial in making the distinction between active and passive euthanasia; otherwise, the entire concept may become distorted, and legal acceptance may become more widespread with the effect of broadening the category of individuals to whom euthanasia becomes an available option. The “slippery slope” argument is briefly considered.

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