At first sight, this may seem a curious question to ask. Both instinct and reason, assisted by rising social standards, tend to drive us towards ever longer life and to search for the strength and courage to exploit the pleasure of each day. This is not the case, however, for some. Suicide rates are increasing in most developed countries with, apparently, young men in the highest band. It can be supposed that a kind of anomie, or disconnection from their environment, leads to these tragedies – but, whatever the reason, it is clear that, for some, life is not worth living.

This may also be true in the medical arena. Some evidence from the United States, for example, suggests that the suicide rate amongst the elderly is rising rapidly in parallel with their growing fear of being kept alive long after their quality of life has deteriorated to an unacceptable level. Doctors and other healthcare workers are confronted more and more often by patients who do not wish to survive, and hard decisions have to be taken when people who are incompetent, and who have no hope of recovery, lie in our hospital wards.

Clearly, then, this is a question that is worth asking. In the context of this book, however, it is unnecessary to consider suicide in any depth, save to make passing reference to its historical and legal position.