Euthanasia and the Terminally Ill Patient

I. Introduction II. The Pro-Euthanasia Trend ... A. The Quinlan Case ... B. The Saikewicz Case ... C. Living Will Statutes III. The Active/Passive Distinction IV. The Case for Preservation of Life ... A. Deterrence without Punishment ... B. The Rational Choice ... C. Medical Error ... D. The Contradictions Inherent in Safeguards ... E. The "Sails of Rescue" ... F. Hidden Conflicts in the Decisionmaking Process ... G. Societal Damage ... H. The Danger That Voluntary Euthanasia Proposals Will Be Used to Gain Acceptance for Involuntary Euthanasia ... I. The Danger of Abuse ... J. Negative Impact on Research ... K. Discriminatory Mercy-Killing ... L. Impact on Patient Recovery Rates V. A Critical Evaluation VI. Conclusion