Description
Book SynopsisSensitive and high-profile public policy issues often benefit from being considered in comparative perspective. Here, euthanasia and the right to die are examined in the context of the social, legal, and religious settings of a wide range of countries. The authors employ public opinion data, where available, to illustrate the great disparity between approval of physician-assisted suicide and the general illegality of the practice. Ultimately, making and implementing laws to ensure a responsible right to die_as the U.S. has been struggling with in Oregon, Michigan, and elsewhere_will be informed by experiences in such places as the Netherlands, Australia, and the only country in the world where euthanasia is a clear-cut medical option: Colombia.
Trade ReviewScherer and Simon's timely publication is an excellent study of the attitudes, laws, and practices of euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and right-to-die legislation in the US and 19 other countries . . . a significant contribution to health professions literature and a useful resource for students of ethics, the health professions, and practicing professionals. -- V. B. Beyers, emeritus, SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse * CHOICE, September 1999 *
An engaging and detailed book which incorporates survey data, historical data, policy reflection and anecdotal information. ...a thorough treatment of the subject. This work is compelling as authors Scherer and Simon provide readers with a quick and consice summary of major arguments and legislation which acknowledges its bias while presenting and addessing the opposing point of view. * International Social Science Review *
Each chapter is clearly written, well conceptualized and informative, so that it makes an excellent starting point for readers who new to these issues. Even for those who more familiar with the topic, however, there is a great deal to be learned from Scherer and Simon's analysis. Schrerer and Simon have done an exemplary job of contextualizing the euthanasia controversy in a comparative way, and they have provided a global policy analysis that is unavailable in any other single reference work. Euthanasia and the Right to Die is an excellent introduction for those who are interested in learning more about the debate from an international, social policy perspective. * Journal Of Health Psychology *
This work succeeds not only in its reach to construct a comparative contextual framework and in its synthesis of data from a wide variety of sources, but in its exposition of the public and private facets of end-of-life issues. . . . An informative contribution to the literature on euthanasia and right-to-die policies around the world. * Law and Politics Book Review *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Death and Dying in Historical Perspective Chapter 2 The Fundamental Issues Chapter 3 Euthanasia in the United States and Canada Chapter 4 Euthanasia in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland, Spain , and France Chapter 5 Euthanasia in Australia, China, Japan, and India Chapter 6 Euthanasia in Colombia, South Africa, Iran, and Israel Chapter 7 Toward a Workable Social Policy Chapter 8 Notes Chapter 9 Suggested Reading Chapter 10 Index
