Is the Time Right to Enact Autonomy-Only Assisted Dying Laws?
Article
Article Title | Is the Time Right to Enact Autonomy-Only Assisted Dying Laws? |
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ERA Journal ID | 33514 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Braun, Kerstin |
Journal Title | Journal of Law and Medicine |
Journal Citation | 31 (3), pp. 601-614 |
Number of Pages | 14 |
Year | 2024 |
Publisher | Lawbook Co. |
Place of Publication | Australia |
ISSN | 1320-159X |
Abstract | An increasing number of jurisdictions worldwide have enacted assisted dying laws allowing persons to end their lives with assistance. All existing frameworks have in common that they restrict access to persons who (1) act autonomously and (2) suffer from certain illnesses. The second restriction has been criticised on the basis that it makes judgments about which lives are worth living by only allowing persons with specific medical conditions, but not others, to die with assistance. To avoid such judgments, some scholars endorse an autonomy-only view which requires autonomy as the only necessary condition for assisted dying. After considering the criticism the second access restriction has attracted, this article analyses the complexities of enacting autonomy-only assisted dying laws using Germany as a case study. It concludes that the challenges this approach faces in practice will likely prevent autonomy-focused assisted dying frameworks from becoming law in the near future. |
Keywords | assisted dying; access restrictions; Germany; medical condition; autonomy; law reform |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 480412. Medical and health law |
480406. Law reform | |
480302. Comparative law | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Law and Justice |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zq659/is-the-time-right-to-enact-autonomy-only-assisted-dying-laws
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