Euphemisms for Euthanasia

Many patients are subject to ‘do not resuscitate’ orders or are ‘allowed to die’. The predominant moral position within health care seems to be that this is permissible, while voluntary euthanasia is not. This paper attempts to consider the logic of that position. It is not intended as a case for or against voluntary euthanasia; those cases are made elsewhere. Instead, this is an attempt to challenge implicit assumptions. It is the experience of many nurses that issues relating to matters at the end of life are far from being resolved. This paper does not try to offer any practical solutions but aims at some clarification of the language used. This, it is hoped, will enable nurses to contribute to the debate. © 1995, Sage Publications. All rights reserved