Ethics

Annotated Bibliography
Cundiff, David. Euthanasia is Not the Answer a Hospice Physicians View. Totowa, NJ
Humana Press, 1992. ISBN 089603237X, 9780896032378.  
Terminal illnesses are commonly associated with thoughts of pain and agony prior to the death of an individual. Contrary to such concepts, the book highlights and expounds upon the possibility for individuals with such illnesses to live out the final days of their lives in a calm manner. Specifically, through proper physician support and through the care provided by the family and relatives, it may be possible to escape considerable suffering. Hence, through the points discussed in the book regarding such a possibility, an effective argument against euthanasia may be derived.  

Dowbiggin, Ian. A Merciful End the Euthanasia Movement in Modern America. New York,
NY Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0195154436, 9780195154436.
While the book provides an overview of the historical development of euthanasia as a movement, focus upon both medical limitations and human autonomy. To further expound, as stressed out in the book, the presence of medical shortcomings in properly coping with incurable diseases as well as appropriately supporting elderly patients provide support for the need to allow euthanasia. In addition, it is also emphasized that since freedom and autonomy are supposed to be among the rights of individuals, then euthanasia should be legally sound as well. Hence, the book would be of significance in providing insights regarding the main arguments in support of euthanasia.

Friedlander, Henry. The Origins of the Nazi Genocide from Euthanasia to the Final
Solution. Chapel Hill, NC University of North Carolina Press, 1995. ISBN 0807846759, 9780807846759.
The book links euthanasia with the Nazi genocide as the deaths of numerous handicapped individuals were initiated. To further explain, discussions throughout the book are focused upon euthanasia as a misleading movement to conceal the directives and interests of Nazi leaders. In particular, instead of merely allowing individuals to die through a merciful fashion, euthanasia has been converted into a means of eliminating individuals that may detrimentally affect the genetic superiority of the population. Thus, given that the Nazi have used euthanasia in such pursuits, the information presented in the book may be effectively utilized for emphasizing potential detrimental risks and outcomes if euthanasia would be legalized.

Keown, John. Euthanasia, Ethics, and Public Policy an Argument against Legislation. New
York, NY Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN 0521009332, 9780521009331.
Instead of focusing upon the ethical aspects of euthanasia, specifically in terms of whether an individual should be allowed to die upon request due to pain and suffering, the discussion presented throughout the book offers insights upon the legal aspects of the issue. In particular, concerns regarding the feasibility of effectively controlling and limiting the appropriate use of euthanasia are given emphasis. It would not be appropriate to simply assume that upon legalization, euthanasia would be continuously practiced without resulting in additional problems especially in determining whether it is applicable for a situation or not. Therefore, the book would indeed be a valuable tool in providing strong arguments against euthanasia as it provides insights into the uncertainties associated with legalization.

McMillan, R.C., Tristram Engelhardt, and S.F. Spicker. Euthanasia and the Newborn
Conflicts Regarding Saving Lives. Netherlands Springer, 1987. ISBN 9027722994, 9789027722997.
The book provides vital insights regarding another purpose of euthanasia. In particular, as noted throughout the book, such a practice may be considered as a means of preventing additional suffering from occurring for infants with severe birth defects. Expectedly, the presence of such defects, depending upon the degree, would cripple the life of the infant if not completely delimit it to a few months or years of existence. In this sense, as highlighted in the book, if euthanasia would be allowed, then a humane way of saving such infants from unwarranted difficulties. Therefore, given such points, the book may certainly be considered as an important source of information in developing argumentative support for euthanasia legalization, in relation to the welfare of certain newborns.

Nicol, Neal and Harry Wylie. Between the Dying and the Dead Dr. Jack Kevorkians Life
and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia. Madison, WI University of Wisconsin Press, 2006. ISBN 0299217108, 9780299217105.
The book provides insights regarding one of the most iconic figures in the movement to legalize euthanasia, Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Also known as Dr. Death, Kevorkian was imprisoned due to his pursuit of gaining public acceptance for euthanasia which involved the broadcast of a patient that opted to undergo the aforementioned medical process. In general, the book highlights the fact that Kevorkian draws upon the logic and rationale that individuals have the innate right to choose as to whether one should embrace death or instead attempt to live on despite the severity of ones conditions. Therefore, the information presented throughout the book would certainly provide additional support for establishing arguments in support of euthanasia legalization, with a distinct focus upon humanistic aspects such as the freedom of choice.  

Olevitch, Barbara A. Protecting Psychiatric Patients and Others from the Assisted Suicide
Movement Insights and Strategies. Westport, CT Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc, 2002. ISBN 0275969576, 9780275969578.
While euthanasia is associated with the right of patients to choose death as an escape from the repercussions associated with terminal illnesses, an important assumption in such a concept is that such patients have proper mental capabilities. The book points out the fact that not all patients that may request for euthanasia are rid of psychiatric concerns and thus such an act may not completely reflect the needs of such patients. In addition, further insights regarding the manner in which such concerns may be prevented have been delineated as well throughout the book. Thus, the book would be another valuable source of information in providing possible detrimental effects if euthanasia would be legalized.  

Otlowski, Margaret. Voluntary Euthanasia and the Common Law. New York, NY Oxford
University Press, 2000. ISBN 0198259964, 9780198259961.
While the issue of euthanasia is usually debated through the use of ethical and legal perspectives, it is still important to consider the views of populations regarding the issue. In the book, it has been pointed out that euthanasia has been gaining public support and acceptance throughout recent years. In fact, such support has not only been noted in the United States but throughout other countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia. Therefore, given the book highlights the presence of public support for euthanasia, not only in a national scale but on a global level, as established through the use of polls, then it would certainly be of significance in providing arguments in support of euthanasia legalization.

Rehmann-Sutter, Cristoph, Marcus Duwell, and Dietmar Mieth. Bioethics in Cultural
Contexts Reflections on Methods and Finitude. Netherlands Springer Publishing, 2006. ISBN 140204240X, 9781402042409.
The book provides discussions regarding the economic aspects of euthanasia. In particular, it is emphasized in the book that not only does ethics and legal aspects matter to the evaluation of why euthanasia should be allowed but financial capabilities and economic factors are of significance as well. Given such, a terminally ill patient who is constantly given life support with virtually no chance of recovery would require considerable amounts of money to be spent upon such procedures. The outcome of course is already predetermined if not already known. Thus, given such points regarding the economic importance of euthanasia in allowing for a more efficient allocation of funds for healthcare have been discussed in the book, then it is for certain that the book would be a vital resource in providing arguments in support of euthanasia.

Scherer, Jennifer M. Euthanasia and the Right to Die a Comparative View. New York, NY
Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 1999. ISBN 0847691675, 9780847691678.
Albeit the fact that the book provides an in depth discussion of the main aspects pertaining to euthanasia, it is important to emphasize that discussions regarding the historical trends of public support have also been provided. Basically, the it has been highlighted in the book that public supports for euthanasia have previously declined due to various reasons associated with the war but at present significant support for such a movement have been established among the American public. In essence, such support has been linked with support for the autonomy of the individuals, such as family members with terminal diseases, as a sufficient reason for allowing euthanasia. Hence, such a book would be vital in providing facts and trends regarding public support to the euthanasia movement.

Somerville, Margaret. Death Talk the Case against Euthanasia and Physician -Assisted
Suicide. Canada McGill-Queens University Press, 2001. ISBN 077352245X, 9780773522459.
In the book, multiple reasons as to why euthanasia should not be legalized and accepted throughout the society are given. However, an emphasis upon the meaning and essence of death, especially in relation to human ethics and concepts of fear, is thoroughly discussed throughout various chapters. Specifically, instead of merely perceiving the issue as an offshoot of concerns regarding will and freedom, the book highlights the social meaning of death which may in turn be undermined if euthanasia would be legalized. Thus, such a book is certainly of value in conducting a research on the topic of euthanasia as it provides alternative insights as to why legalization is not a proper course of action.

Would legalizing euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide save money for the American
healthcare system. ProCon.org. ProCon, 6 Oct. 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2010 httpeuthanasia.procon.orgviewanswers.aspquestionID000203.
Although the an overview of both sides of the argument regarding the impact of euthanasia upon the healthcare system may be seen through the webpage, it is important to point out that it provides arguments against euthanasia in relation to the aforementioned aspect as given by experts in the field of medicine. As a matter of fact, a lack of support regarding the potential beneficial effects of euthanasia upon healthcare funding may directly be attributed to beliefs that the savings that may be gained are too meager and insignificant. And so, the webpage may be regarded as a useful tool in further establishing arguments against euthanasia legalization and its perceived effects upon national budget.