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participating institutions:
Johns Hopkins University AIDS Service, New York State DOH AIDS Institute, The CORE Center, Cook County Hospital



NEWS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS



Origins of the desire for euthanasia and assisted suicide in people with HIV-1 or AIDS: a qualitative study [Lavery JV et al. Lancet 2001;358:362]: The authors from Ontario, Canada report the results of their interviews of 32 patients, including 20 who reported a decision to pursue euthanasia, 3 who decided against euthanasia, and 9 who were undecided. There were two main factors that led to the decision favoring euthanasia: 1) disintegration, with loss of function and dependency on others, which was perceived as intolerable, and 2) a loss of community, meaning the inability to initiate or maintain "personal relationships." The authors suggest that the desire for euthanasia could be reversed with meaningful changes in an individual's social circumstances. Unfortunately, this approach is not considered in either the Dutch guidelines or Oregon's "Death With Dignity Act."
posted 8/22/2001





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