Active euthanasia and assisted suicide: a perspective from an American abortion and Dutch euthanasia scenario

To discuss the critical issues involved in the legalization of active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

Nursing, medical, legal, and ethics literature; newspaper articles; book chapters.

The major terms employed in the discussion of active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are defined. The implications of the recent Supreme Court decision on these practices are outlined. The Dutch euthanasia and the American abortion scenarios are used as models for the interpretation of the effects of future legislation on such practices.

Oncology nurses need to be cognizant of the crucial issues involved in the practices of active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide and determine their philosophical stance regarding the practices.

If active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide practices are legalized, oncology nurses will have to make decisions about their desired degree of involvement in acts that will end their patients' lives.