End-of-Life Decisions, Ethics and the Law. A Case for Statutory Legal Clarity and Reform in South Africa

This position paper puts forward an ethical case for end-of-life decision-mak¬ing legislation. Such legislation would clarify areas of legal uncertainty, most notably in respect of terminal pain management, withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (sometimes called "passive euthanasia"), and advance directives (a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare). More controversially, the paper also argues for the inclusion of assisted dying (assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia) in a comprehensive end-of-life decision-making bill.