Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in the Post-Rodriguez era: Lessons From Foreign Jurisdictions

This paper outlines how The Netherlands, the USA, Australia, & Canada have approached the practices of euthanasia & assisted suicide. Jurisprudence, public opinion polls, legislative developments, & the positions of medical organizations & their members are included in the analysis. A number of arguments for & against the continued prohibition of the practices in Canada are evaluated. The author asserts that a qualified system of pe-authorization would prevent abuse from occurring & maintain the prohibition of nonvoluntary & involuntary euthanasia. Practical legislation is said to be feasible & a proposal of what this should entail is presented. (258 notes)