The word 'euthanasia' comes from the Greek roots eu (well) and thanatos (death), but currently means much more than 'good-death'. Euthanasia has been usefully defined as 'the intentional killing, by act or omission, of a person whose life is felt not to be worth living'.[1] This is the definition that...
'How depressing', you may be thinking, 'to spend my free time reading a book about death!' Please reserve judgement for a moment while I give you a glimpse into this remarkable book. Ling states that 'all Christians should aim for a good life and a good death'. It seems to...
You are suffering from dementia and are in a nursing home. Unable to recognise your family, speak or swallow, you are fed through a tube down your nose. You have repeated chest infections and doctors keep giving you antibiotics. You would not have wanted to live like this, but the...
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is less malleable and less of a euthanasist's charter than many commentators feared. That is the effect of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Pretty v United Kingdom (www.worldlii.org/eu/cases). The facts Diane Pretty suffered from Motor Neurone Disease (Triple Helix...
Editor, My flatmate is a medical student who receives your journal, which I occasionally read. However, I was disturbed by your editorial about the Dianne Pretty case. I am personally appalled that this woman is being denied the right to end her own life. We are told we are free to...