A perfection of means and confusion of aims : finding the essence of autonomy in assisted death laws

Abstract

This thesis was developed through standard library-based research methods as well as legal research conducted via the internet and electronic databases including LexisNexis, QuickLaw, Westlaw and HeinOnline as well as the medical database, PubMed. Relevant legislation was identified and downloaded from the official websites of the respective jurisdictional legislatures. This thesis examines the assisted death law in the jurisdictions of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Washington, Oregon, Montana, England and Canada. Through examining the political, legislative and judicial reform histories as well as the substantive framework of the assisted deaths laws that have emerged from these processes, this work demonstrates that most, though not all, of the assisted death laws ultimately prescribe an fairly homogenous assisted death model, that is, assisted death for irremediable suffering.