Pathfinders for Gerontology Information. Pathfinder No. 3: Living Wills (Right-To-Die-Laws)

摘要

The paper provides resources concerning living will laws or right-to-die laws, which are less than 10 years old and have not been tested in the courts. Such statutes extend immunity to physicians, nurses, and other caregivers who carry out these wishes as expressed by the patient. The enactment of statutes which provide guidance to those who attempt to accomodate the moral and ethical principles which underpin criminal law and some aspects of civil law is addressed. Selected background reading is listed, and it is noted that much of the literature on living wills is emerging from works on euthanasia and suicide. Twenty-one articles, primarily from legal and medical journals, are annotated, and selected organizations of interest are listed, including the American Euthanasia Foundation, the American Society of Law and Medicine, and Concern for Dying. Finally, suggestions for ongoing research are provided. The appendix contains information on living will legislation.