Abstract
Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia’s Impact on the Frail Elderly: Autonomy or a License to Kill? Some Ethical Perspectives
Smith W B
This article discusses the 1994 report by the New York State Task Force on Life & the Law on assisted suicide & euthanasia, which was quoted in the landmark decisions of the US Supreme Court (June 26, 1997). The place & purpose of a professional code of ethics is considered, including the Hippocratic Oath & the most recent Code of Medical Ethics. The author also provides insight on the impact of assisted suicide & euthanasia on the frail elderly, & outlines their comments on the impact physician-assistsed suicide has on the medical ethic. (9 refs)