Some patients who attempt suicide refuse treatment. These patients are invariably treated if brought to hospital. ⋯ Some patients who attempt suicide ought to be allowed to die. My argument for this claim turns on judging some patients who attempt suicide to be sufficiently competent and rational be allowed to die.
Centre for Human Bioethics, Monash University, Australia.
Monash Bioeth Rev. 1995 Oct 1; 14 (4): 33-40.
AbstractSome patients who attempt suicide refuse treatment. These patients are invariably treated if brought to hospital. There are several reasons for this. These reasons justify the treatment of many of these patients, but not all. Some patients who attempt suicide ought to be allowed to die. My argument for this claim turns on judging some patients who attempt suicide to be sufficiently competent and rational be allowed to die.