Year: 1989 Source: Paragon House: New York, 1989. p.235-242 SIEC No: 20021425

This chapter examines the medical ethics of active and passive euthanasia. The chapter examines the classical medical standard that it is permissible to withhold treatment, thereby allowing a patient to die. The first half of the chapter argues that there is no difference between active or passive euthanasia, the patient will die regardless, and sometimes there is more pain in passive euthanasia. Examples used in the chapter include the case of a cancer patient & the case of a Down Syndrome baby. The author concludes with a message for those in opposition to active euthanasia. (AK)