Recurrent challenges and emerging controversies
Our visiting scholars, Sharon Kling and Keymanthri Moodley, discuss approaches to withholding and withdrawing treatments, and to physician assisted suicide, as they are encountered in South Africa. In 1994, the South African Law Commission recommended legalising doctor-assisted suicide. A related bill was published for comment in 1997 but never enacted. In 2015, an important legal precedent was set when a 65 year old South African lawyer with terminal cancer requested assisted suicide via the courts. His request was granted hours before he died naturally, but the decision created enormous controversy and an appeal to overturn the ruling has been made. This talk explores end of life and futility issues that provoke enormous discussion in South Africa and elsewhere.
Lunch will be provided for first 50 guests.
All are welcome!