Robert Young: Medically Assisted Death

Robert Young Medically Assisted Death. New York: Cambridge University Press 2007. Pp. 260. CDN$94.95/US$90.00 (cloth ISBN-13: 978-0-521-88024-4); CDN$30.95/US$29.99 (paper ISBN-13: 978-0-521-70616-2). This is a book about euthanasia and what is usually called physician assisted suicide. It is divided into twelve chapters and contains an extensive bibliography. There are curious lacunae--but more of that later. It is written in an accessible, persuasive style and makes for easy reading. Its main point is that there are circumstances under which it is ethically appropriate for physicians either to kill their patients directly or to help them commit suicide. Standard issues such as the distinction between active and passive euthanasia, the notion of medical futility, the doctrine of double effect, non-voluntary as opposed to voluntary euthanasia, competence, advance directives, and the sanctity of human life are all considered. In short, Young appears to cover the waterfront.