The Quality of Mercy: an Examination of the Proposition “Doctors Must not Kill” (IN: Euthanasia: the Good of the Patient, the Good of Society, ed. by R I Misbin)

This essay explores the proposition doctors must not kill with reference to a 1988 article by Gaylin et al in which arguments against physician aid in dying were presented. It is argued in this essay enough exceptions may be found to make the proposition untenable as an absolute prohibition. For those who acknowledge such exceptions exist, the problem becomes how to prevent abuse once the practice is permitted. (17 refs.)