Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Supreme Court's Wary Rejection

U. Tol. L. Rev., Vol. 31, pp. 253-272, 1999-2000

21 Pages Posted: 11 Jul 2008 Last revised: 17 Jul 2008

See all articles by Susan R. Martyn

Susan R. Martyn

University of Toledo - College of Law

Henry J. Bourguignon

University of Toledo College of Law

Date Written: 2000

Abstract

Although the Supreme Court's separate opinions in two physician-assisted suicide cases failed to speak with a decisive voice on some issues, the Court unanimously agreed that no constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide exists. Most of the opinions also agreed on the need to provide adequate pain relief, including if necessary terminal sedation. Whether to decriminalize and regulate physician assisted suicide has been left to the states.

Keywords: Killing, Letting Die, Fourteenth Amendment, Physician-Assisted Suicide, Terminal Illness, Palliative Care, Netherlands, Quill, Glucksberg, Terminal Sedation

Suggested Citation

Martyn, Susan R. and Bourguignon, Henry J., Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Supreme Court's Wary Rejection (2000). U. Tol. L. Rev., Vol. 31, pp. 253-272, 1999-2000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1158073

Susan R. Martyn (Contact Author)

University of Toledo - College of Law ( email )

2801 W. Bancroft Street
Toledo, OH 43606
United States
419 530-4212 (Phone)
419 530-2821 (Fax)

Henry J. Bourguignon

University of Toledo College of Law ( email )

2801 W. Bancroft Street
Toledo, OH 43606
United States

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