John Keown, D.Phil., Ph.D., holds the Rose F. Kennedy Chair in Christian Ethics. With a degree in law from the University of Cambridge, he received his doctorate from the University of Oxford. His research has been cited widely, in particular by the U.S. Supreme Court (in its decision on physician-assisted suicide), by the English Court of Appeal (in the conjoined twins case, 2000); and by the House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics.
Contact: ijk2@georgetown.edu
The concerted campaign around the globe to legalize euthanasia and/or physician-assisted suicide is one of the greatest contemporary challenges facing the pro-life movement. The campaign for change has scored some successes, notably in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Oregon. But it has suffered even more reverses, particularly when the weaknesses of the arguments for reform have been convincingly exposed. Pro-life academics have a significant role to play in exposing those weaknesses. This paper illustrates the inadequacy of those arguments in the context of a recent, and unsuccessful, attempt to push Europe toward legalization.
Date posted: 2007-07-28