LEGAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A EUTHANASIA STATUTE FOR ADULTS IN THE UNITED-STATES

This article discusses legal and psychological factors relevant to the drafting of euthanasia statute for adults in the United States includ ing legal and medical definitions of death; the distinction between pa ssive and active euthanasia; living wills and advance directives; the psychological states found among those with a terminal illness; compet ency determinations; and currently proposed euthanasia models. Discuss ed at length are six different scenarios for which unique legal and ps ychological considerations apply to the euthanasia decision. The autho rs recommend that, if state or federal legislators draft euthanasia le gislation, these factors should be incorporated into the statute.