Health Care at the end of Life: Should Medically Assisted Death be an Alternative?

This article discusses rights of people at the end of their lives to refuse or withdraw treatment when its burdens outweigh its benefits. Advocates of doctor-assisted death cited state that death does not equate with harm when life holds only unrelenting misery. Critics argue that there is a possibility of abuse when capable but vulnerable patients are subtly coerced to choose death. The author states that during this debate, society must continue to advance care for & knowledge of the dying patient. (5 refs) (SC)