Ethical and Legal Issues (IN: The International Handbook of Suicide and Attempted Suicide, edited by K Hawton & K van Heeringen)

This chapter reviews ethical & legal issues in suicidology for 12 countries: Australia, China, Cuba, Ireland, India, Japan, Lithuania, Russia, South Africa, The Netherlands, Turtle Island & the USA. The following topics are addressed: suicide & attempted suicide, assisted suicide & euthanasia, standards of reasonable & prudent care, responsibility for care, failure in care, liability & malpractice. Legal & ethical standards are defined according to standards of community practice & resources available. It is concluded there is need for ongoing research & global discussion of these issues. (27 refs.)