Conscientious Objection and Institutional Objection to Voluntary Assistance in Dying: An Ethico-legal Critique

Ian Kerridge; Cameron Stewart; Jackie Leach Scully; Mary Chiarella; Julie Hamblin; Adam Johnson; Christopher Ryan; Linda Sheahan; George Skowronski

Conscientious Objection and Institutional Objection to Voluntary Assistance in Dying: An Ethico-legal Critique

J Law Med. 2023 Dec;30(4):806-821.

Authors

Ian Kerridge¹, Cameron Stewart², Jackie Leach Scully³, Mary Chiarella⁴, Julie Hamblin⁵, Adam Johnson⁶, Christopher Ryan⁷, Linda Sheahan⁸, George Skowronski⁹

Affiliations

¹ Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney.
² Sydney Health Law, University of Sydney.
³ Disability Innovation Institute, University of New South Wales.
⁴ Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney.
⁵ Solicitor and Chair of Australian Volunteers International.
⁶ Northern Sydney Local Health District, NSW Ministry of Health.
⁷ Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney and University of New South Wales.
⁸ Clinical Ethics Consultant, Clinical Ethics Committee, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
⁹ St George & Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales.

PMID: 38459874

Abstract

This column examines conscientious objection and institutional objection in Australian voluntary assistance in dying. It reviews the current legislative regimes and then examines these practices from an ethical perspective, and raises particular concerns and suggestions with how conscientious objection and institutional objection should be operationalised.

Keywords: conscience; conscientious objection; ethics; voluntary assisted dying.

MeSH terms

Australia
Conscience*
Health Facilities
Refusal to Treat*