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Euthanasia/Physician-Assisted Suicide – Juridical, Philosophical and Practical Aspects
10.–12.1.2002
From 10th to 12th 2002, the Europäische Akademie, in co-operation with the FernUniversität Hagen, conducted an expert meeting entitled “Sterbehilfe. Rechtswissenschaftliche, philosophische und Praxis-Aspekte (Euthanasia/Physician Assisted Suicide – Juridical, Philosophical and Practical Aspects)”. Modern medico-technical developments are bringing death and dying increasingly into the sphere of human intervention. In cases where prolonging the life of a person is perceived merely as the prolongation of suffering without any hope of recovery, the demand is made to pay more respect to the right of the self-determination of the patient with regard to the timepoint of death. For one thing, controversies flare up when the question is asked if assisted suicide should ever be permitted at all. This question is frequently seen in connection with the possibilities of palliative pain treatment. Furthermore, fears exist with regard to the possible difficulties involved in containing the consequences of the practical implementation of regulations concerning assisted suicide. Finally, the question arises as to whether there should be a differentiation, from the moral and (juridical) practical point of view, between active and passive euthanasia. This question is of particular relevance in regard to the role of the physician.
The aim of the expert discussion was to make a contribution to the rational assessment of active and passive suicide assistance and its possible practical implementation. The organisation was undertaken by Professor Dr. Annemarie Gethmann-Siefert, Dr. Felix Thiele, Minou Bernadette Friele, M.A., and Dipl-Päd. Ulrike Henckel. A publication of the results of the expert discussion is currently being prepared.
Invited speakers: Drs (NL) Jeantine Lunshof (Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler), Professor Dr. Hans-Ludwig Schreiber (Göttingen), Klaus Kutzer (Karlsbad-Spielberg), Professor Dr. Reinhard Merkel (Hamburg), Professor Dr. Dietrich Kettler (Göttingen), Professor Dr. Dieter Birnbacher (Düsseldorf).
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