ABSTRACT

Regulating the End of Life: Death Rights is a collection of cutting-edge chapters on assisted dying and euthanasia, written by leading authors in the field.

Providing an overview of current regulation on assisted dying and euthanasia, both in the UK and internationally, this book also addresses the associated debates on ethical, moral, and rights issues. It considers whether, just as there is a right to life, there should also be a right to death, especially in the context of unbearable human suffering. The unintended consequences of prohibitions on assisted dying and euthanasia are explored, and the argument put forward that knowing one can choose when and how one dies can be life-extending, rather than life-limiting. Key critiques from feminist and disability studies are addressed. The overarching theme of the collection is that death is an embodied right which we should be entitled to exercise, with appropriate safeguards, as and when we choose.

Making a novel contribution to the debate on assisted dying, this interdisciplinary book will appeal to those with relevant interests in law, socio-legal studies, applied ethics, medical ethics, politics, philosophy, and sociology.

part I|59 pages

Legal changes and challenges

chapter 3|16 pages

Contesting death rights *

Reflections from the courtroom

part II|49 pages

Ethics, morals and values

chapter 5|15 pages

Assisted dying, ethics and the law

For, against, or somewhere in between?

part III|45 pages

Rights claims

chapter 9|14 pages

Dying with conscience

The potential application of Article 9 ECHR to assisted dying

part IV|66 pages

Transgressions

chapter 11|15 pages

Laughing to death

Necrosocialities and ‘right to die’ activism

chapter 12|17 pages

Choosing death in anticipation of older age-related suffering

Reflections based on a Dutch study

chapter 13|14 pages

Dying alone

Exercising a right or transgressing the rules?

chapter 14|18 pages

Embodiment, choice and control at the beginning and ending of life

Paradoxes and contradictions. A provocation