"[Cantor provides] both a cogent and provocative text and prodigious references." -- The New England Journal of Medicine "Cantor develops a careful and accessible ethic of autonomy and dignity regarding forgoing life-prolonging medical treatment... " -- Ethics "A thoughtful, informative and sensitive text... " -- European Medical Journal "Professor Cantor of Rutgers University School of Law has created a scholarly and sophisticated, yet quite accessible, legal analysis of the subject of advance directives... detailed, exhaustively referenced... " -- The Florida Bar Journal "This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about advance directives for health care." -- Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "Cantor provides a very thorough, reliable, and readable guide... " -- Robert M. Veatch, Director, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University Cantor examines the medical, legal, and moral issues surrounding advance medical directives -- those devices aimed at controlling medical intervention during the dying process after the patient is no longer competent.

Encourages patients to become active participants in the process of fighting disease, and includes guidelines for medically-assisted suicide.

By providing an interdisciplinary reading of advance directives regulation in international, European and domestic law, this book offers new insights into the most controversial legal issues surrounding the debate over dignity and autonomy at the end of life.

"Freedom of Information in a Post 9-11 World" is, to date, the first international scholarly examination of the impact of the terrorist attack on the United States in terms of how it may alter academic and corporate research, as well as the sharing of information generated by that research, by international colleagues in technological fields. The collection of essays brings together a widely varied panel of communications experts from different backgrounds and cultures to focus their expertise on the ramifications of this world-changing event. Drawing upon the related but separate disciplines of law, interpersonal communication, semiotics, rhetoric, management, information sciences, and education, the collection adds new insight to the potential future challenges high-tech professionals and academics will face in a global community that now seems much less communal than it did prior to September 11, 2001.In "Freedom to Choose: How to Make End-of-Life Decisions on Your Own Terms", young persons, baby boomers, and "senior citizens" alike will find the information they need to make intelligent, informed, and well-planned decisions about end-of-life care, and to clearly state their wishes based on personal, cultural, religious, and family values. In direct and simple language, Dr. Burnell describes how to prepare for a smooth transition to end-of-life care and what to do to prevent family conflicts, overcome death fears and anxiety, and achieve peace of mind for our loved ones and ourselves.The book gives practical advice on how to make decisions about end-of-life care and how to prepare a living will and durable power of attorney for health care. Dr. Burnell provides guidelines at the end of each chapter on what to consider before preparing these important documents: how to preserve one's rights as a patient; how to choose the right doctor; the best place to be when critically ill; the laws governing advance directives; and the best alternatives for end-of-life care, such as good pain control and assisted dying (where this is legal). "Freedom to Choose" provides a user-friendly approach to facing these difficult decisions. It includes extensive lists of resources and organizations, and a glossary necessary for understanding the issues at hand. As this book makes clear, preparing an advance directive and knowing all the available options at the end of life are the most important steps for achieving peace of mind.The primary audience is anyone, young or old, who needs to prepare a set of advance directives: healthy people, for themselves or their loved ones who are seriously ill or on life support, and people with a terminal illness. The secondary audience is health professionals who deal with people in end-of-life care or with decision-makers on end-of-life issues: primary care physicians; nurses; geriatricians; psychiatrists; hospice doctors, nurses, and volunteer staff; caregivers for the seriously ill; oncologists; interns and residents; counselors; family therapists; psychologists; social workers who work with the dying and bereaved; attorneys; thanatologists; estate planning advisors; senior citizen center staff; college teachers in death and dying courses; professionals taking courses in psychology, gerontology, thanatology, nursing, and social work.

This almanac discusses the topic of health care directives and the patient's right to participate in their own health care decisions. A living will and a durable power of attorney for health care are examples of important health care directives. A living will allows you to make your health care decisions ahead of time should you become incapacitated. A durable power of attorney for health care enables you to appoint someone to make sure your wishes are carried out if you become unable to make sure your wishes are carried out if you become unable to make your own health care decisions. Patients increasingly demand a voice in making their wishes known at critical points in their medical treatment, and today these wishes are often spelled out in great detail. Do not resuscitate orders, advance medical directives, pain management options are some of the medical choices patients can express through legal instruments such as a living will, or by designating a health care proxy, so that these choices are clear in the event that the patient cannot express them himself. Legal issues concerning a medical providers failure to carry out a patients wishes, religious objections to executing the living will, capacity issues such as age and mental competence, informed consent, right-to-die legislation, and prohibitions against assisted suicide are also covered here. Important topics discussed include living wills and a durable power of attorney. The patient's right to refuse medical treatment is examined, including advance medical directives, health care proxies, do not resuscitate orders, and the patient's right to pain management. The Appendix provides applicable statutes, resource directories, and other pertinent information and data.

Physician-assisted death is now legal in six states, and is the subject of intense political and legal battles across the country. As our population ages, the debate continues. What are the main dividing lines in this debate? What are the principal ethical questions involved? Philosopher and ethicist L.W. Sumner equips readers with everything they need to know to take a reasoned and informed position on these and similar questions. He provides much-needed context by situating physician-assisted death within the wider framework of end-of-life care, and explains why the movement to legalize it now enjoys such strong public support by reviewing the movement's successes to date, beginning in Oregon in 1994 and now extending to twelve jurisdictions across three continents. By providing an overview of the main ethical and legal arguments on both sides, Sumner provides a clear and accessible explanation of why we have yet to resolve the controversy. Lastly, he consisiders the future political and judicial actions that are necessary for broader reform of end-of-life care. All those who care about how we handle end-of-life dilemmas will benefit from Sumner's deeply informed expertise on this important issue. -- Provided by publisher.

Presents divergent views on euthanasia laws and legislation in the United States.