[Discontinuing parenteral nutrition, patient self-determination and legal sanctions in treatment limitations. On the legal questions of physician-assisted death].

Since the Federal High Court decided the "Case of Kempten" in 1994, German Law allows discontinuation of life-sustaining treatment even when the patient's life could be extended by a number of months. Unfortunately, the court gives little normative criteria regarding the conditions under which "helping to die" is legal. Instead of such criteria, the will of the patient is underlined as being decisive. Therefore, the legal problems have shifted to the determination of the patient's will and substituted consent; written living will, power of attorney and consent of the court have become more important within the law of euthanasia. Along with a general description of the legal limits of euthanasia, the scope of application of these civil law institutes will be discussed.