When Life Becomes Optional: A Comment on Kevin O’Rourke’s Approach to Forgoing Life Support

Issues in Law & Medicine, Vol. 10, p. 343, 1994

9 Pages Posted: 21 Sep 2012

See all articles by Stephen L. Mikochik

Stephen L. Mikochik

Ave Maria School of Law; Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law

Date Written: January 23, 1994

Abstract

This article is the author's attempt to more clearly understand the euthanasia debate. The author is blind and worries that "quality of life" could be used as a vehicle for invidious discrimination. Much legal commentary on euthanasia is unenlightening and more polemic than analysis. As a Catholic, the author explores what light that tradition could shed on the issues at hand. This article focuses specifically on arguments some Catholic theologians have offered in the current debate over forgoing life support for persons in a persistent vegetative state.

Keywords: euthanasia, discrimination, Catholicism, quality of life issues

Suggested Citation

Mikochik, Stephen L. and Mikochik, Stephen L., When Life Becomes Optional: A Comment on Kevin O’Rourke’s Approach to Forgoing Life Support (January 23, 1994). Issues in Law & Medicine, Vol. 10, p. 343, 1994, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2115938

Stephen L. Mikochik (Contact Author)

Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law ( email )

1719 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States
215-204-8962 (Phone)
215-204-1185 (Fax)

Ave Maria School of Law ( email )

1025 Commons Circle
Naples, FL 34119
United States

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