‘Round-Table’ Ethical Debate: is a Suicide Note an Authoritative ‘Living Will’

Living wills are often considered by physicians who are faced with a dying patient. Although popular with the general public, problems of authenticity & authority remain. There is little consensus on what spectrum of instruments constitutes a binding advance directive in real life. In this article, a panel of experts consider whether a suicide note is an authentic & authoritative living will. (14 refs.)