Abstract
Since the judgement of Slater v. Stapleton in 1767,the following principles have been established on the basis of an accumulation of judicial precedents. A competent patient may withdraw or suspend treatment according to the doctrine of self-determination. Decisions relating to medical treatment on behalf of a mentally incapacitated adult patient should be made in the patient's best interests as determined by established medical practice. In England, there is no right to die, but a principles exists of self-setermined withdrawal from or withholding of medical treatment, even if this shortens life as a result. However, a consensus on the questions of treating mentally incapacitated adults is still being sought. I will investigate the following points : 1. Principles established through judicial precedents 2. Views of the judiciary and government 3. Views of the British Medical Assosiation and I will look into the question of legalising therapy abatement for menatlly incapacitated patients.
