Recent historical perspectives regarding medical euthanasia and physician assisted suicide.

Medical assistance in the termination of life, whether euthanasia or assisted suicide, is arguably one of the most hotly debated topics as we approach the millenium. While euthanasia has been a subject of controversy for thousands of years, the historical influences vis a vis the medical profession are primarily rooted in the past century. This chapter seeks to explore some of the recent historical developments which have had an impact on the emergence of medical euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. The objective is to juxtapose events in a way that relates historical fact (and fiction) to current events and debates. Sociology, law and theology have each a view and impact in this arena; however, they are deliberately left to the side, so as to allow for a longitudinal landscape.