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End-of-life decisions, ethics and the law : a case for statutory legal clarity and reform in South Africa
Landman, Willem A.
Landman, Willem A.
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Abstract
Dying is a natural and inevitable part of life. Unless we die an unnatural death, we will go through a natural dying process. For some, it will be peaceful and dignified; for others it will be filled with pain, anxiety and suffering. We do not know which it will be. Globally, many countries are addressing assisted dying, albeit in different ways. Some have legalised assisted dying and others have set criteria for not prosecuting it. This "Position Paper" aims at putting forward an ethical case for end-of-life decision- making legislation. Such legislation would clarify areas of legal uncertainty, most notably in respect of terminal pain management, withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (sometimes called “passive euthanasia”), and advance directives (a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare). More controversially, it also argues for the inclusion of assisted dying (assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia) in a comprehensive end-of-life decision-making bill.
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A publication commissioned by the Ethics Institute of South Africa (EthicsSA).
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Book
Date
2012
Identifier
ISBN
9782940428526
9782940428533
9782940428533
DOI
10.58863/20.500.12424/188340
Copyright/License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Generic deed (CC BY-NC-ND 2.5)