EUTHANASIA, RIGHT-TO-DIE, AND PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE 
 
 
The location and call number of each publication is given in parentheses at the end of its bibliographic 
entry.  All publications in this guide may be found on the 4th level (the main floor) unless otherwise 
noted. 
 
 
STEP ONE--Look at these articles to get background information: 
 
Capron, Alexander Morgan.  "Right to Refuse Medical Care."  In Encyclopedia of Bioethics, edited by 
Warren T. Reich, vol. 3, pp. 1498-1507.  New York: Free Press, 1978.  (Ref. QH322.E52 1982 v.3-4)
Covers conflicting claims or interests and the balancing of public and private duties.  Bibliography, pp. 
1506-1507. 
 
Death and Dying.  Opposing Viewpoints Series.  San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1992.  (Ready Ref. 
H33.O666 v.96--Index Stand 1)
Includes a section on how dying patients can control the decision to end treatment (pp. 99-128). 
 
Euthanasia.  Opposing Viewpoints Series.  San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1989.  (Ready Ref. 
H33.O666 v.59--Index Stand 1)
Covers whether euthanasia and the right to die are ethical, whether euthanasia should be legalized, 
whether food and water should always be provided, whether euthanasia should be based on quality of life, 
who should make the decision, whether hanndicaaped infants should be treated, and related issues. 
 
Gruman, Gerald J., Sissela Bok, and Robert M. Veatch.  "Death and Dying: Euthanasia and Sustaining 
Life."  In Encyclopedia of Bioethics, edited by Warren T. Reich, vol. 1, pp. 261-286.  New York: Free 
Press, 1978.  (Ref. QH332.E52 1982 v.1-2)
Covers historical perspectives, ethical views, and professional and public policies. 
 
"Issue 13.  Do Patients Have the Right to Die?"  In Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Legal 
Issues, 3rd ed., edited by M. Ethan Katsh, pp. 266-284.  Guilford, CT: Dushkin Pub. Group, 1989.  
(KF384.A2T33 1989--5th level)
Judge Paul Iacos says "yes"; Judge Neil Lynch says "no." 
 
Johnsen, Albert R., and George Lister.  "Life-Support Systems."  In Encyclopedia of Bioethics, edited by 
Warren T. Reich, vol. 2, pp. 840-848.  New York: Free Press, 1978.  (Ref. QH322.E52 1982 v.1-2)
Covers functions of life-support systems and ethical issues like weaning the patient from life-support 
systems.  Bibliography, p. 848. 
 
Landers, Robert K.  "Right to Die: Medical, Legal, and Moral Issues."  Editorial Research Reports, vol. 2 
of 1990 (Sept. 28, 1990): 553-567.  (Ready Ref. H35.E35 1990 v.2--Index Stand 1)
Since doctors can prolong life past when it would have ended naturally, families must make painful 
decisions over witholding treatment.  Discusses differences between a competent patient making decision 
for himself vs. families making the decision when the patient cannot.  Also covers Western religious and 
philosophical traditions and physician-assisted suicide.  Bibliography, p. 567. 
 
"Medicide: New Humanism or Old Euthanasia?"  Society 29 (July/Aug. 1992): 4-38.  (Per. H1.T72--6th 
level)
Arguments for and against medically assisted suicide; 9 articles. 
 
Schneiderman, Lawrence J.  "Euthanasia: Can We Keep It a Special Case? Medically Administered Death 
Must Be as Painless as Possible for the Patient and as Anguishing as Possible for the Physician."  
Humanist 50 (May/June 1992): 15-17+.  (Per. B821.A1 H8--6th level) 
 
Suicide.  Opposing Viewpoints Series.  San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 1992.  (Ready Ref. H33.O666 
v.100--Index Stand 1)
Covers whether suicide is an individual right, whether it can be a rational choice, whether physicians can 
ethically assist in suicide, the causes of teen suicide, and how suicide can be prevented. 
 
Worsnop, Richard L.  "Assisted Suicide: Should Doctors Help Hopelessly Ill Patients Take Their Lives?"  
CQ Researcher 2 (Feb. 21, 1992): 147-67.  (Ready Ref. H35.E352--Index Stand 1)
Case for and against legalizing voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.  
Whether legalization would lead to policies that sanction involuntary killing of the aged and infirm. 
 
 
STEP TWO--Find books on your topic by looking on Acorn: 
 
Acorn is the computer library catalog, which contains records for almost all books in all Vanderbilt 
libraries.  It also includes records for most U.S. government publications distributed after July 1976.  It 
lists which periodicals we subscribe to, but does not list individual articles. 
 
At the Acorn Plus terminals, type choose acorn to use this database.  You can search Acorn by author 
(a=), title (t=), keyword (k=), or subject (s=).  For keyword searching only, use the ? (question mark) to 
truncate (substitute for word endings).  When you finish, please type cho (for choose) to return to the 
database menu. 
 
Some subjects (s=) that you may find useful include: 
 
s=assisted suicide 
s=euthanasia 
s=right to die 
s=assisted suicide--moral and ethical aspects 
s=euthanasia--moral and ethical aspects 
s=suicide--moral and ethical aspects 
 
After finding the call numbers for the books you want, check the location chart by the main elevators to 
find out the level on which those books are shelved. 
 
 
STEP THREE--Find additional articles on your topic by looking at indexes: 
 
PAIS on Silver Platter (compact disc), 1976-.  (Reference Room, Compact Disc Stations)
Compact disc version for 1976 to date of Public Affairs Information Service Bulletin, 1916-.  Indexes 
books, pamphlets, and government publications, in addition to selected articles in 1,400 periodicals.  
Covers current events and issues, including economic and social conditions, government and politics, and 
international relations.  You do not have to type k= before typing your terms; use the * (asterisk) to 
truncate substitute for word endings).  Look here for widest variety of sources. 
 
Periodical Abstracts--Research II, 1986-, and Social Sciences Index/Fulltext, 1989-.  (Reference Room, 
Proquest Compact Disc Stations)
Periodical Abstracts--Research II indexes and abstracts 1200 of the 1600 journals in PERS (discussed 
immediately above), but also provides full-text available for about 350 of those journals.  Social Sciences 
Index/Fulltext indexes about 350 journals in the social sciences, of which articles from about 220 are 
available full-text.  You do not have to type k= before typing your terms; use the ? (question mark) to 
truncate (substitute for word endings). 
 
Use the Location Guide at the Compact Disc Stations or use Acorn to find the call number and location of 
the magazines in which the articles appear. 
 
Newspaper Abstracts, 1987-.  (Reference Room, Compact Disc Stations)
Indexes national and international political and economic issues and includes short abstracts of each 
article.  Covers: 
The Atlanta Constitution (Microfilm 1835--6th level)
The Boston Globe (Microfilm 2359--6th level; FILM FOR 1989-1992 ONLY)
The Chicago Tribune (Microfilm 2364--6th level; FILM FOR 1989-1992 ONLY)
The Christian Science Monitor (Microfilm 1484--6th level)
The Los Angeles Times (Microfilm 2220--6th level)
The New York Times (Microfilm 455--6th level)
The Wall Street Journal (Microfilm 1413--6th level)
The Washington Post (Microfilm 1957--6th level). 
Paper versions of these indexes and of 
The Times [London] (Microfilm 796--6th level) 
are located on the North Wall of the Reference Room with call numbers beginning with Ref. AS21.   In 
the paper versions, articles are arranged chronologically under each subject.  The issues themselves are on 
microfilm in the Microform/Media Center on the 6th level. 
 
 
STEP FOUR--Find government documents on your topic by looking at these indexes: 
 
CIS Index, 1970-.  (Docs. Ref. Alcove Z1223.A66--North Wall) 
Known as "CIS."  Lists U.S. Congressional publications, such as hearings, committee prints, and reports. 
 
GPO on Silver Platter (compact disc), 1976-.  (Docs. Index Table) 
Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications, 1895-.  (Docs. Alcove GP3.8--South Wall) 
Known as the "Monthly Catalog."  The most comprehensive finding aid for U.S. government documents.  
Lists U.S. government documents from all three branches of government.  Includes author, title, subject, 
and keyword title indexes.  Subject headings are the same as for the card catalog.  The compact disc 
version covers 1976 to date. 
 
Recent government documents: 
 
United States.  Congress.  House.  Select Committee on Aging.  Dying with Dignity: Difficult Times, 
Difficult Choices: committee print, 99th Cong., 1st sess., October 1985.  Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 1985.  
(Govt. Info. microfiche Y 4.Ag 4/2:D 98) 
 
United States.  Congress.  House.  Select Committee on Aging.  Dying with Dignity: Difficult Times, 
Difficult Choices: hearing, 99th Cong., 1st sess., Oct. 1, 1985.  Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 1986.  (Govt. 
Info. microfiche Y 4.Ag 4/2:D 98/2) 
 
United States.  Congress.  Senate.  Special Committee on Aging.  Consumers' Guide for Planning Ahead: 
The Health Care Power of Attorney and the Living Will: an information paper.  Committee Print, August 
1992.  Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 1992.  (Govt. Info. Y 4.Ag 4:S.Prt.102-106)
Includes a state by state analysis of statutes authorizing advance directives in the case of a disabling 
accident or illness. 
 
United States.  Congress.  Office of Technology Assessment.  An Ethical Analysis of Withdrawal from 
Life-Sustaining Technologies and Assisted Death: A Report for the Office of Technology Assessment.  
Prepared by James F. Childress.  Washington, D.C.: The Office, 1985.  (Govt. Info. Y 3.T 22/2:2 L 
62/v.3/ethical) 
 
United States.  Congress.  Senate. Committee on Finance.  Living Wills: hearing, 101st Cong., 2nd sess., 
July 20, 1990.  Washington : U.S. G.P.O., 1991.  (Govt. Info. Y 4.F 49:S.hrg.101-1168) 
 
United States.  Congress.  Office of Technology Assessment.  Life-Sustaining Technologies and the 
Elderly.  Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O., 1987.  459 pp.  (Govt. Info. Y 3.T 22/2:2 L 62)
Covers legal and ethical issues, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, nutritional support and 
hydration, antibiotic therapy, and manpower and training. 
 
United States.  President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and 
Behavioral Research.  Deciding to Forego Life-Sustaining Treatment: A Report on the Ethical, Medical, 
and Legal Issues in Treatment Decisions.  March 1983.  Washington, DC : U.S. G.P.O., 1983.  554 pp.  
(Govt. Info. Pr 40.8:Et3/L62/2)
Covers the elements of good decision-making, patients who lack decision-making capacity, those with 
permanent loss of consciousness, seriously ill newborns, and resuscitation decisions for hospitalized 
patients. 
 
United States.  President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and 
Behavioral Research.  Defining Death: A Report on the Medical, Legal and Ethical Issues in the 
Determination of Death.  July 1981.  Washington, D.C.: U.S. G.P.O., 1981.  166 pp.  (Govt. Info. Pr 
40.8:Et 3/D 34) 
 
 
Periodicals at the Law Library: 
 
"Medical Decision-Making and the `Right to Die' After Cruzan."  Law, Medicine and Health Care 19 
(Spring/Summer 1991): 5-104.  (Law Library Periodicals)
Role of the state and overall impact of the US Supreme Court decision in Cruzan v. Missouri Department 
of Health; 18 articles.  Some focus on living wills. 
 
"Physician-Assisted Suicide and the Right to Die With Assistance".  Harvard Law Review 105 (June 
1992): 2021-40.  (Law Library Periodicals)
View that physician-assisted suicide is not fundamentally different from the withholding or withdrawing 
of medical treatment; US. 
 
"Right to Life/Right to Die Symposium."  Saint Louis University Public Law Review 11 (no. 2 of 1992): 
299-520.  (Law Library Periodicals)
Covers abortion, court ordered contraception, and assisted suicide; 9 articles. 
 
Annas, George J.  "Killing Machines."  Hastings Center Report 22 (March/April 1991): 33-5.  (Law 
Library Periodicals)
Focuses on the ethical considerations of Jack Kevorkian's "suicide machine" used in the death of Janet 
Adkins. 
 
Kadish, Sanford H.  "Letting Patients Die: Legal and Moral Reflections."  California Law Review 80 (July 
1992): 857-88.  (Law Library Periodicals)
Aspects of active and passive euthanasia, including questions of advance directives and substituted 
judgement. 
 
O'Brien, Edward J.  "Refusing Life-Sustaining Treatment: Can We Just Say No?"  Notre Dame Law 
Review 67 (no. 3 of 1992): 677-706.  (Law Library Periodicals)
Legal basis for the right to refuse treatment and analysis of right to die legislation; US. 
 
Podgers, James.  "Matters of Life and Death: Debate Grows Over Euthanasia."  ABA Journal 78 (May 
1992): 60-3.  (Law Library Periodicals)
Ethical and legal dimensions of the sanctioning of assisted death for the terminally ill. 
 
"Symposium: Cruzan and the "Right to Die."  Georgia Law Review 25 (Summer 1991): 1139-1326.  (Law 
Library Periodicals)
Impact of the 1990 US Supreme Court decision in Cruzan v. Missouri Department of Health; 4 articles.  
Issues surrounding medical treatment for bedridden or minimally functional patients who suffer from the 
effects of a coma, a stroke, Alzheimer's disease and other critical illnesses. 
 
Weir, Robert F., ed.  "Current Issues in Biomedical Ethics."  Law, Medicine and Health Care 20 
(Spring/Summer 1992): 5-143.  (Law Library Periodicals)
In relation to medical research, health economics, and end-of-life decisions.  13 articles.  Topics include 
animal research, research fraud, germ-line gene therapy, rationing medical care, community involvement 
in public policy decisions, national health insurance, physician-assisted suicide, and voluntary euthanasia. 
 
Yuen, Michele.  "Letting Daddy Die: Adopting New Standards for Surrogate Decisionmaking."  UCLA 
Law Review 39 (Feb. 1992): 581-632.  (Law Library Periodicals)
Practice of "passive euthanasia" through withholding or withdrawing life support systems in cases of 
terminal illness; US.  Patient and surrogate decision making, legislation, judicial involvement, and living 
wills. 
 
 
Prepared by Larry Romans and Tom Rupsis, Central Library, Vanderbilt University, October 1993