Introduction: a Medical, Ethical, Legal, & Psychosocial Perspective (IN: The Case Against Assisted Suicide: for the Right to End-of-life Care, ed. by K Foley & H Hendin)

This chapter introduces readers to the on-going debate over the legalization of assisted suicide & euthanasia. Basic arguments in favour of & opposing legalization are presented in order to familiarize readers with the current context of this debate. The origins of the word “euthanasia” are explored, & the history of euthanasia & assisted suicide as issues of interest in modern society is traced. International experiences of legalized euthanasia are discussed. An overview of the rest of the book is given.