Article

Is there a place for voluntary active euthanasia in modern-day medicine?

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 55 , issue 1 , 2013 , pages: S10–S11

DOI: 10.1080/20786204.2013.10874314

Author(s): GA Ogunbanjo Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, , D Knapp van Bogaert Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, Faculty of Health Sciences,

Keywords: euthanasia , voluntary active euthanasia , physician-assisted suicide , death

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Abstract

This article discusses various ethical and legal concepts regarding euthanasia and includes notions such as physician-assisted suicide, assisted suicide, voluntary active euthanasia, killing versus letting die, indirect euthanasia and terminal sedation. Is there a difference if death is foreseen, but not intended? This article opens up the debate and addresses pertinent issues for the family practitioner.

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