Publisher's Synopsis
The contributions of this volume address the growing ethical challenges regarding the possibilities for end-of-life-decisions, as well as their limitations. Experts from medical ethics, palliative care, theology and social sciences discuss, amongst others, following issues: How can requests for (physician-)assisted suicide be dealt with adequately? Under what condition is the renunciation of artificial nutrition reasonable in coma patients? Do advance euthanasia directives for patients with dementia fulfil the necessary ethical requirements? Furthermore, the authors analyze current institutional developments and empirical research on end-of-life decisions and refer to international studies and trends regarding the acceptance of "Euthanasia". The observed rise in the acceptance of "Euthanasia" is likely influenced by regional, cultural, and respective social factors.
