Physician assisted suicide, euthanasia, or withdrawal of treatment

摘要

The Supreme Court of the United States has returned the vexing question of physician assisted suicide to state governments. In unanimous rulings last month, Chief Justice Rehnquist, writing for the court, held that there is no fundamental right to assistance in committing suicide and that, legally, distinguishing between refusing life saving medical treatment and requesting assistance in suicide "comports with fundamental legal principles of causation and intent.