Year: 1997 Source: Ethics and Medicine, v.13, no.3, (1997), p.71-75 SIEC No: 20020858

Addresses the appropriateness of using public referendums like Measure 16 (Oregon’s ‘Death with Dignity Act’) in establishing medico-ethical policy. It does so through a short critical appraisal of the 1st two issues at stake: autonomy & safety of suicide. The appraisal leads to a concluding concern regarding the ramifications of accepting the ethic behind the application of informed consent criterion assumed appropriate for voter consent upon the application of informed consent criterion for future patient choice in assisted suicide. (27 refs)