ABSTRACT
End-of-life issues raise particular concern. Past experience partly explains the sensitivity of the relationship between the disability community and the medical profession around end of life. The history of doctor-administered euthanasia under the Nazi regime has been well documented (Burleigh 1995). In modern times, the much publicized activities of murderers such as Dr Harold Shipman, or assisted-suicide entrepreneurs Dr Jack Kevorkian or Dr Philip Nitschke create a climate of suspicion and hostility among some disability activists. Recent UK attempts to legalize assisted suicide have generated impassioned opposition from many in the disability community (Campbell 2003; Davis 2004; Hurst n.d.): there are concerns that the UK may follow those countries that have liberalized endof-life legislation; for example, in Oregon physician-assisted suicide is
available for residents, in Switzerland it is available to anyone, while both Belgium and the Netherlands have legalized voluntary euthanasia.
