The Case for Physician-Assisted Suicide (Pandora Soap Box series) [Paperback]

Alison Britton (Author), Sheila McLean (Author, Introduction)

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Pandora Press (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0044409834
• ISBN-13: 978-0044409830
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,494,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A lucid, balanced view on a complex issue, January 14, 2004

By 

Giuseppe A Botta (Udine, Friuli Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Case for Physician-Assisted Suicide (Pandora Soap Box series) (Paperback)

This is a well written, very informative, well balanced book about a complex debate of physician assisted suicide(PAS).
The Authors clearly demonsrtate a deep insight and first-hand experience supported by thoughtful critical revision. Interestingly, they put first the case against PAS discussing the major and more frequent arguments (such as sanctity of life, the difference between killing (euthanasia) and letting die , greedy parents, uncompetent patients - such as severely handicapped- or the misguided pressure from a third party. This is in my view a very important issue especially in the US where many citizens do not have a health coverage and where the last months of life can be financially disastrous. They point out that all these factors can induce to use (by exerting pressures on doctors by managers) PAS as an economical mean to reduce costs. However, they are convinced that appropriate legislation (such as the one approved in Oregon and in the Netherlands will avoid, or leave very little room, misuse. Here may be the "humanism " of the Authors make them a little too optimistic (see Sissela Bok for a good discussion of this issue)
The second chapter deals with autonomy of the individual and some bizarre situations in its application. One patient can refuse a treatment (such as a transfusion forhim/herself or for his/her son) and this refusal can lead to death. Both these expressions of autonomy (even for a third party) are accepted , but deciding about how to end one own life is negated (although suicide is not a crime any longer). These inconsistencies are clearly critiqued, as are the necessary revisions of the Ippocratic Oath in the light of modern medicine (Chapter 3). Excellent is Ch. 5, where the current provisions applied to PAS in Oregon and in Holland are listed and elegantly commented with abundancy of factual information.
The book is highly readable, lucidly written and presents a balanced view of the issue. Strongly recommended.