In this paper we propose a theoretical model of evaluating the economic costs and benefits of euthanasia. The contemplation of euthanasia is modeled akin to the valuation of a real option. Our modeling of the decision shows that euthanasia is optimal when certain conditions are satisfied. The findings in this paper suggest that if more money is spent on medical research (such as pain management...

BACKGROUND Most studies on attitudes towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) have been conducted in healthy populations. The aim of this study is to explore and describe attitudes towards, and wishes for, euthanasia/PAS in cancer patients with short life expectancy. METHOD Semi-structured interviews with 18 cancer patients with a life expectancy of less than nine months. All p...

This article provides an overview of the scarce international literature concerning nurses' attitudes to euthanasia. Studies show large differences with respect to the percentage of nurses who are (not) in favour of euthanasia. Characteristics such as age, religion and nursing specialty have a significant influence on a nurse's opinion. The arguments for euthanasia have to do with quality of li...

Debate continues over the acts/omissions doctrine, and over the concepts of duty and charity. Such issues inform the debate over the moral permissibility of euthanasia. Recent papers have emphasised moral sensitivity, medical intuitions, and sub-standard palliative care as some of the factors which should persuade us to regard euthanasia as morally unacceptable. I argue that these lines of argu...

As more countries adopt laws and regulations concerning euthanasia, pediatric euthanasia has become an important topic of discussion. Conceptions of what constitutes harm to patients are fluid and highly dependent on a myriad of factors including, but not limited to, health care ethics, family values, and cultural context. Euthanasia could be viewed as iatrogenic insofar as it results in an out...


 In discussions about assisted dying (euthanasia, suicide), those who argue ‘against’ legalisation often reason from a religious angle, whereas ‘in favour’ adopt secular stance. The Dutch experience is more nuanced: here, euthanasia advocacy largely originated protestant believers. this contribution, I criticise the use of arguments favouring any specific position. Religion may provide he...

RATIONALE Stable isotope analysis is a critical tool for understanding ecological food webs; however, results can be sensitive to sample preparation methods. To limit the possibility of sample contamination, freezing is commonly used to euthanize invertebrates and preserve non-lethal samples from vertebrates. For destructive sampling of vertebrates, more humane euthanasia methods are preferred ...

BACKGROUND The problems related to requests for euthanasia by terminal patients; the variations in attitude of palliative care physicians and the possibility that availability of the best palliative care might obviate the problem by eliminating requests for euthanasia, are under discussion. DESIGN A mailed survey with no possibility of follow-up of all 685 physician members of the Italian Soc...

The present paper examines the occurrence of matters relating to the ending of life, including active euthanasia, which is, technically speaking, illegal worldwide. Interest in this most controversial area is drawn from many varied sources, from legal and medical practitioners to religious and moral ethicists. In some countries, public interest has been mobilized into organizations that attempt...

BACKGROUND In the debate about legalization of euthanasia very little attention has so far been given to the opinion of the patient. OBJECTIVE To assess the opinion of persons with HIV infection in Europe. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of persons with HIV infection attending HIV/AIDS treatment centres or HIV support organizations in 11 European Union Member States was performed. A total ...