Alison Davis, the leader of No Less Human, a group within SPUC, has sent me her review of a new publication which looks like a "must-read" for those concerned about new calls from Parliamentarians for the decriminilization of assisted suicide by lethal dose, on which I have blogged recently.Alison writes:
"I've just finished reading "Against Physician Assisted Suicide - a palliative care perspective" by David Jeffrey.
"Overall I think it's an excellent introduction to the subject. It's readable, in easy 'chunks' and introduces all the main aspects of the subject in comprehensible short chapters. He gives a good background to the history of PAS in Oregon and Switzerland, and doesn't baulk at the "difficult" subjects like that of unrelievable pain and depression.
"The book gives an excellent overview of the Joffe bill in the UK and various attempts in England & Wales & Scotland of attempts to change the law to allow PAS, noting clearly the differences and similarities between PAS and euthanasia.
"I feel that some of the examples he gives near the end of the book of "Three Patients" who represent a blend of true cases, is somewhat simplistic, but it will be news to many people, both those who are beginners to the issue and those who haven't (yet) read widely on it.
"I would thoroughly recommend it as an introduction to the subject, and for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge."
Click on the link for the book above for details on how to order.
