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The Right to Die Debate A Documentary History
(Click to Enlarge)
Marjorie B. Zucker, ed.
ISBN: 0-313-30522-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-313-30522-1
336 pages
Greenwood Press
Publication: 10/30/1999
List Price: $65.00 (UK Sterling Price: £44.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects:
Description: Rapid changes in medical care and in society's attitudes about death have made the right-to-die debate a timely topic, but its roots can be traced back to the founding of this country. High school and college students can explore the history of this debate through this unique collection of primary documents. Government reports, court cases, statements from religious groups, and many other contributions provide a thorough examination of the arguments for and against allowing people to make their own decisions about how and when they die. An explanatory introduction precedes each document to aid the user in understanding the various arguments that have been put forth in this debate, encouraging consideration of all sides when drawing conclusions.

Such issues as attitudes toward death, mercy killings, euthanasia, the development of living wills, and advance directives are explored in detail and are traced back to their early roots. Each of the volume's six parts examines a different subject within the debate and provides records ranging from the high profile court cases of Karen Quinlan and Nancy Cruzan to samples of living wills to a statement from Pope Pius II. Zucker presents the reader with a variety of ideas from many different people, including doctors, patients, religious leaders, and government officials, and presents a broad range of perspectives that will be a welcome resource for students wishing to explore this highly emotional topic from as many different angles as possible.
Table of Contents:
  • Death and How We Face It
    Some Literature about Death
    Definitions of Death
    Medical Advances, Care of the Dying, and the Euthanasia Movement before 1952
    Death in the Nineteenth Century
    Mortality, 1900-1950
    The Early Euthanasia Movement
    Mercy Killings
    Changes in Medical Care and the Way We Die: The Euthanasia Movement, 1953-1965
    Changes in Medical Care and Their Impact on the End of Life
    Euthanasia
    Advance Directives: Their Legalization and Implementation
    The Original Living Will
    Statements in Support of Patient's Rights
    Legalizing the Living Will
    Medical Power of Attorney: Health Care Agent Appointed by the Patient
    Laws That Permit Heath Care Decisions to Be Made by a Surrogate Who Was Not Appointed by the Patient
    Limitations of Advance Directives
    Federal Law Relating to Advance Directives
    Culture and Religious Responses to Advance Directives
    Attempts to Increase the Number of Completed Advance Directives
    Responses of Physicians to Advance Directives
    Cost Savings
    Do Not Resucitate (DNR) orders
    The Role of the Courts in End-of-Life Decision Making
    The Right to Die of Patients with Capacity
    The Right to Die of Patients Who Have Lost Capacity
    Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
    The U.S. Supreme Court Decision in the Case of Nancy Cruzan
    The Right to Die of Patients Who Were Never Competent: Medical Futility
    What If the Health Care Facility Does Not Follow the Patient's Wishes to Terminate Care?
    Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
    Palliative Care
    Index
About the Author: MARJORIE B. ZUCKER, a former Professor of Pathology at New York University Medical Center, now works at Partnership For Caring (formerly Choice in Dying).
LCC Class: 174
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