Year: 1988 Source: Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior, v.18, no.2, (Summer 1988), p.181-188 SIEC No: 19890233

Discusses 2 meanings of a “right to die”, 1) a right to refuse life-sustaining treatment & 2) an affirmative right to obtain death or a right to suicide. Legal implications are explored. It is speculated that with the recognition/existence of a right to die, 1) counselors would have to inform clients of the suicide option, 2) intervention to prevent suicide could trigger civil liability, 3) suicidal intentions would not justify involuntary committment & 4) consent would be a defense to homicide.