Der assistierte Suizid in der Schweiz (Teil 1) [Assisted suicide in Switzerland (part 1): Medical-ethical controversies and the dilemma of the sorcerer's apprentice]

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_C4541D259CCA
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Der assistierte Suizid in der Schweiz (Teil 1) [Assisted suicide in Switzerland (part 1): Medical-ethical controversies and the dilemma of the sorcerer's apprentice]
Journal
Praxis
Author(s)
Güth U., Battegay E., Jox R.J., Abawi K., Weitkunat R., Schneeberger A.R.
ISSN
1661-8157 (Print)
ISSN-L
1661-8157
Publication state
Published
Issued date
10/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
113
Number
9
Pages
230-234
Language
german
Notes
Publication types: English Abstract ; Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Based on the cases in which assisted suicide (AS) has taken place in Switzerland in the context of a mental disorder or dementia, we discuss whether the slippery slope argument often brought up by opponents of assisted dying is justified. Long-term data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office shows that while the number of cases with these «indications» is increasing (1999-2017: on average 21 cases/year vs. 2018-2022: n = 73 cases/year), the percentage share of these diseases in the total number of all AS cases has remained unchanged at around 5 %. Opponents of assisted dying believe that the slippery slope argument is already fulfilled by the fact that these cases occur at all. However, the still limited prevalence of these specific indications which still represent only a minority of assisted suicide cases over time, may be used by advocates of assisted dying to weaken the opposing viewpoint.
Keywords
Suicide, Assisted/ethics, Suicide, Assisted/legislation & jurisprudence, Switzerland, Humans, Female, Male, Aged, Mental Disorders, Dementia, Ethics, Medical, Middle Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Assisted dying, assisted suicide, dementia, mental disorders, slippery slope argument
Pubmed
Create date
15/11/2024 16:40
Last modification date
22/11/2024 17:55
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