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The right to die debate : a documentary history /

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Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: Zucker, Marjorie B. (Marjorie Bass), 1919-
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 1999.
Series:Primary documents in American history and contemporary issues.
Subjects:
Right to Die > history.
Ethics, Medical > history.
Euthanasia > history.
Terminal Care > history.
Table of Contents:
  • Pt. I. Death and how we face it
  • Some literature about death
  • Definitions of death
  • Responses to the reality of death
  • Pt. II. Medical advances, care of the dying, and the euthanasia movement before 1952
  • Death in the nineteenth century
  • Mortality, 1900-1950
  • The early euthanasia movement
  • The euthanasia movement in Great Britain and the United States
  • Attempts to legalize euthanasia in the United States
  • Opposition to the euthanasia movement
  • Mercy killings
  • Pt. III. Changes in medical care and the way we die: the euthanasia movement, 1953-1965
  • The impact of changes in medical care on the end of life
  • Euthanasia
  • Pt. IV. Advance directives : their legalization and implementation
  • The original living will
  • Statements in support of patients' rights
  • Legalizing the living will
  • Medical power of attorney : health care agent appointed by the patient
  • Laws that permit health care decisions to be made by a surrogate who was not appointed by the patient
  • Limitations of advance directives
  • Federal law relating to advance directives
  • Some cultural and religious responses to advance directives
  • Attempts to increase the number of completed advance directives
  • Responses of physicians to advance directives
  • Cost savings
  • Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders
  • Pt. V. The role of the courts in end-of-life decision making
  • The right to die of patients with capacity
  • The right to die of patients who have lost capacity
  • What is clear and convincing evidence
  • Artificial nutrition and hydration
  • The U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Nancy Cruzan
  • The right to die of patients who were never competent : medical futility
  • What if the health care facility does not follow the patient's wishes to terminate care
  • Pt. VI. Suicide, assisted suicide, and euthanasia
  • Suicide
  • Assisted suicide and euthanasia
  • Legality of and opinions about assisted suicide
  • Attempts to legalize physician-assisted suicide
  • Palliative care