Is There a Duty to die?

Leading philosophers and bioethicists revisit the disturbing question raised in 1987 by Dr. Margaret Battin: Is there is "a duty to die" in order to guarantee a just cross-generational distribution of limited health care resources? The essays collected here - including a new article by Dr. Battin - discuss the topic in-depth, providing a critical review of the literature and many new arguments. The debate includes not only those who support such a "duty" and those who say such a "duty" cannot be denied, but also those who doubt such a "duty to die" exists or question whether - if it did exist - it could be implemented without severe problems. Is There a Duty to Die? offers a balanced discussion across a wide range of opinions on the meaning of "duty to die," examining every sort of argument for and against the idea. Medical ethicists, and those concerned with end-of-life care, including the hospice community, hospitals, lawyers, legislators, jurists, public policy makers, and religious leaders, will find it essential reading.