The Right to Die with Dignity: An Argument in Ethics and Law

Abstract

The article discusses the way people wish to die, analyzing the legal situation in countries that permit either euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. While criticizing the Dutch, Belgian and Swiss models, I argue that the Oregon model is the one with apparently little abuse. Building on the experiences of Oregon, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Northern Territory of Australia, the article ends with a set of guidelines to improve the conduct of PAS.

Keywords: dignity, abuse, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, Oregon, The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Northern Territory of Australia

JEL Classification: 100, 118