McKhann C F
Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2001 Jan;10(1):221-31.
This article discusses legalization of physician-assisted dying. Already much of the public is in favor of it, as are many physicians. Recent court decisions have so highlighted the diversity of thought on this issue that many people question whether there needs to be an absolute right or wrong. Patients who are dying slowly and painfully know that unnecessary suffering is being forced on them by conservative elements in our society. They feel that their desire for relief and for greater dignity and autonomy should receive more respect.
本文讨论了医生协助死亡的合法化问题。已经有许多公众以及很多医生都支持这一做法。最近的法庭判决凸显了在这个问题上思想的多样性,以至于很多人质疑是否存在绝对的对错之分。那些正在缓慢而痛苦地走向死亡的患者知道,我们社会中的保守势力正在迫使他们承受不必要的痛苦。他们觉得自己对缓解痛苦、获得更多尊严和自主权的渴望应该得到更多尊重。