Resource Tag: WILLS

This article describes what living wills are, & explains their legal status in Canada–particularly in Alberta. In Canada, no provinces have legislation validating living wills, but the courts have often supported documents that give instruction about future medical care. The author also briefly describes the Institute for Law Reform’s support for living wills, as well […]

This chapter examines the complexities & mandatory procedures surrounding the operation of a living will & presents a protective procedure for implementation. Discussion applicability is restricted to extreme cases with a need & desire for escape from medically imposed prolongation of biological life. The conditions necessary for validation of a living will are discussed under […]

This clip discusses the issue of assisted suicide & whether or not it is an act of mercy or murder. A recent court case in which a 69-year-old man was acquitted of second-degree murder (he assisted the suicide of his terminally ill wife) is reviewed as are the activities of Kevorkian & proposed laws in […]

A study of suicide notes in West Berlin revealed that those leaving instructions in their notes were younger, more often Catholic, & having problems with work, loneliness & addiction. Those including wills & testaments were older, more likely to be female & widowed/divorced, & more likely to have recently experienced the death of a partner. […]

This book presents, in a point & counterpoint format, various articles relating to health care issues. In the chapter on assisted suicide, euthanasia & mercy killing, authors debate topics such as whether or not euthanasia is a fundamental right & whether or not assisted suicide should be legalized. The final article in this chapter examines […]

In a survey conducted by The Medical Post, 90% of doctors said they favoured living wills (defined as written, notarized instruction to withhold certain life-prolonging procedures). However, when interviewed one-on-one, some doctors qualified their agreement. In the same survey, only 68% of doctors support medicolegal guidelines for euthanasia. More support was given by female physicians […]

For the most part, this review is a summary of Humphrey’s book. It is not until the last page that the reviewer offers his opinion of this book. Bonnington says that it “is a well-written book”. However, he cautions “that the discussion of how to commit suicide…could become a handbook for murder or for use […]

This article describes the changes in attitude over the last 20 years towards greater acceptance of suicide among the terminally ill. Derek Humphry’s book, Final Exit, is discussed, as well as living wills, health-care proxies, & durable power of attorney for health care. (VM)

This brief article addresses the issue of the right to die & advocates the use of the living will which is said to be legal in certain states. Details about the use of a living will are provided. (LH)

The author discusses legal aspects of the physician’s responsibility relative to the issues surrounding rational suicide, the right to die, living wills, & the ethics of organ transplants. A lengthy question & answer discussion is included.(LH)

Since the publication of the 1981 Handbook, “Living Will” Acts have been enacted in 13 more U.S. states. This booklet contains texts of these acts that legally recognize an individual’s advance declaration directing the withholding of life sustaining medical measures in the event of terminal illnessor injury. A checklist comparing the existing 23 living will […]

An examination of the relationship between suicide and euthanasia with papers covering the issues of social suicide, suicide among cancer patients, rational suicide, survivor’s rights, voluntary euthanasia, the “sancity” and “quality” of life in a historical-comparative view and a legal structure for a living will. (KB)