ELSEVIER librensic !iciice Forensic Science International 68 (1994) 133-135 Book Reviews Physician-assisted Death by James M. Humber, Robert F. Almeder and Gregg A. Kasting (Eds.). Humana Press, New Jersey, USA, 1994, 165 pp. (U$39.30, Export US$44.50, hardback). This is the eleventh volume of Humana’s Biomedical Ethics Review series which has appeared almost annually in recent years. Seven authors, all American, write under three editors from the University of Georgia in Atlanta, so the topic is dealt with from a purely US standpoint, though much of the content has universal relevance, and inevitably, the situation in The Netherlands receives prominent attention. The seven essays discuss wide-ranging ethical, philosophical and legal implications of this currently ‘hot’ topic, which has now fallen prey to the mania for acronyms, namely ‘PAS’ for physician-assisted suicide and ‘PPE’ for physician-performed eu- thanasia. The book begins with a useful survey of the literature, together with a discussion of doctor’s attitudes and experiences. The argument for the ‘non-necessity’ for eu- thanasia is challenged, this argument being that all pain is now medically con- trollable - but the author sustains the view that terminal suffering is not confined to actual pain. In the more legal sections, the view is sustained that suicide is a con- stitutional right and the principles of privacy are also invoked to provide patients with the right to refuse or terminate life support. The book ends with a detailed account of the case of Thomas Donaldson, who after having his brain tumour diagnosed, wished to end his life whilst he was in good shape, so that cryogenic preservation could be carried in the hope of a future cure. The California Court of Appeal declined to find in his favour when he and the cryogenics expert sought a declaration that the latter would not be criminally charg- ed for the death and the former wished immunity from autopsy by the coroner. The general tone of all the essays is in support of the right to die and for physician- assisted death. Whatever the attitude of the reader, this is a valuable contemporary exposition of the ethical and legal state of play in this most emotive of subjects. BK 0379-0738/94/$07.00 0 1994 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Physician-assisted death: by James M. Humber, Robert F. Almeder and Gregg A. Kasting (Eds.). Humana Press, New Jersey, USA, 1994, 165 pp. (U$39.30, Export US$44.50, hardback)

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Page 1: Physician-assisted death: by James M. Humber, Robert F. Almeder and Gregg A. Kasting (Eds.). Humana Press, New Jersey, USA, 1994, 165 pp. (U$39.30, Export US$44.50, hardback)

ELSEVIER

librensic !iciice

Forensic Science International 68 (1994) 133-135

Book Reviews

Physician-assisted Death by James M. Humber, Robert F. Almeder and Gregg A. Kasting (Eds.). Humana Press, New Jersey, USA, 1994, 165 pp. (U$39.30, Export US$44.50, hardback).

This is the eleventh volume of Humana’s Biomedical Ethics Review series which has appeared almost annually in recent years. Seven authors, all American, write under three editors from the University of Georgia in Atlanta, so the topic is dealt with from a purely US standpoint, though much of the content has universal relevance, and inevitably, the situation in The Netherlands receives prominent attention.

The seven essays discuss wide-ranging ethical, philosophical and legal implications of this currently ‘hot’ topic, which has now fallen prey to the mania for acronyms, namely ‘PAS’ for physician-assisted suicide and ‘PPE’ for physician-performed eu- thanasia.

The book begins with a useful survey of the literature, together with a discussion of doctor’s attitudes and experiences. The argument for the ‘non-necessity’ for eu- thanasia is challenged, this argument being that all pain is now medically con- trollable - but the author sustains the view that terminal suffering is not confined to actual pain. In the more legal sections, the view is sustained that suicide is a con- stitutional right and the principles of privacy are also invoked to provide patients with the right to refuse or terminate life support.

The book ends with a detailed account of the case of Thomas Donaldson, who after having his brain tumour diagnosed, wished to end his life whilst he was in good shape, so that cryogenic preservation could be carried in the hope of a future cure. The California Court of Appeal declined to find in his favour when he and the cryogenics expert sought a declaration that the latter would not be criminally charg- ed for the death and the former wished immunity from autopsy by the coroner.

The general tone of all the essays is in support of the right to die and for physician- assisted death. Whatever the attitude of the reader, this is a valuable contemporary exposition of the ethical and legal state of play in this most emotive of subjects.