Introduction

Diane E. Meier’s chapter, “Doctor’s Attitudes and Experiences with Physician-Assisted Death: A Review of the Literature,” introduces the topic of physician-assisted dying. Meier begins by noting that codes of professional conduct prohibit mercy killing by physicians and that, currently, doctors cannot legally practice active euthanasia in the United States. Next, Meier discusses some of the reasons why there are challenges to these established constraints on euthanasia and physician-assisted death. This discussion is followed by a brief section in which key terms (e.g., “voluntary euthanasia,” “assisted suicide”) are defined and distinguished. Meier then reviews the arguments that have traditionally been offered for and against voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted death, and contends that in the absence of further empirical data none can be taken to be truly decisive. In the final two sections of her paper, Meier examines public opinion polls and surveys of physicians’ opinions and practices concerning euthanasia and physician-assisted death. Although Meier holds that the general public exhibits substantial support for easing restrictions on physician-assisted death and euthanasia, she also points out that all surveys of physicians’ opinions and practices are flawed. In the end she concludes that we must have a more definitive study of physicians’ attitudes and actual practices before making any substantive changes in public policy. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.