Title: Dying justice : a case for decriminalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada /
Authors: Downie, Jocelyn Grant, 1962-
Publisher: University of Toronto Press,
Year: 2004
Subjects: Euthanasia Law and legislation Canada.; Assisted suicide Law and legislation Canada.; Decriminalization Canada.
Abstract: "The legal status of assisted death in Canada is in urgent need of clarification and reform. However, this process must be informed by a careful, thorough, and thoughtful analysis of the issues. In Dying Justice, Jocelyn Downie provides an up-to-date and comprehensive review of significant developments in the current legal status of assisted death in Canada. She then recasts the framework for analysis in terms of the nature of the decision for assisted death. Refusals of treatment and requests for assisted suicide and euthanasia, the author argues, should be respected if they are made voluntarily by informed and mentally competent individuals." "Downie proposes a system for Canada that is both less restrictive than the status quo with respect to assisted suicide and euthanasia and more restrictive with respect to the withholding and withdrawal of potentially life-sustaining treatment. On the basis of a thorough review of all of the major arguments made against permitting assisted suicide and euthanasia, Downie calls for a legislative regime that permits some assisted suicide and euthanasia, but also sets out strict criteria that must be met before refusals of treatment would be respected."--Jacket.
Contents: The withholding and withdrawal of potentially life-sustaining treatment from competent persons -- The provision of potentially life-shortening palliative treatment -- Assisted suicide -- Euthanasia -- The values -- Resolution of conflicts among values -- A legal regime for withholding and withdrawal of potentially life-sustaining treatment from competent individuals -- Unsustainable distinctions -- Inconsistencies across categories of assisted death -- Invalid arguments -- Slippery slope arguments -- The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.