A defence of a new perspective on euthanasia
- Correspondence to Dr David Shaw, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ, UK; david.shaw{at}glasgow.ac.uk
- Received 6 August 2010
- Accepted 14 November 2010
Abstract
In two recent papers, Hugh McLachlan, Jacob Busch and Raffaele Rodogno have criticised my new perspective on euthanasia. Each paper analyses my argument and suggests two flaws. McLachlan identifies what he sees as important points regarding the justification of legal distinctions in the absence of corresponding moral differences and the professional role of the doctor. Busch and Rodogno target my criterion of brain life, arguing that it is a necessary but not sufficient condition and that it is not generalisable. In this paper I indicate flaws in all of these criticisms, and again suggest that my perspective does add something new to the debate.
- Attitudes towards death
- care of the dying patient
- prolongation of life and euthanasia
- suicide/assisted suicide
Footnotes
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Linked articles 037275.
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Funding Internally funded by the University of Glasgow.
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Competing interests None.
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Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
