Assisted Lab – On the Cultural Dimension of Assisted Dying

Abstract

Since the turn of the millennium, societal and political debates on assisted dying have gained momentum worldwide. Numerous countries have since legalized assisted suicide and/or euthanasia or initiated political discussions on the topic. At the same time, there has been a growing artistic engagement with the subject. Against this backdrop, the question arises as to what influence literary, cinematic, or theatrical works exert on public opinion and legislative processes concerning assisted dying – and to what extent they themselves are shaped by the cultural, legal, and political contexts in which they emerge. This is the focus of Assisted Lab, an ERC selected SERI financed interdisciplinary research project at the University of St. Gallen, which explores the often-overlooked interconnections between law, medicine, and the arts in the context of assisted dying. This report provides insight into the project’s inception and development, highlights previous findings and activities, and outlines future research questions and challenges.