Devaluation of persons by biotechnology-facilitated practices at the beginning and at the end of life

In this original and interesting article,1 Phil Reed argues that the objections launched against expressivism at the beginning of life do not apply to expressivism at the end of life. Moreover, he claims that the expressivist argument adds to and substantiates the arguments against physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia (PAS/E). In this commentary, I will

Briefly examine whether the comparison between expressivism at the beginning and at the end holds.

Scrutinise whether there is a trickle down-effect of expressivism at the end of life on other arguments against PAS/E.

Examine one version of the expressivist argument that is not discussed by Reed both at the beginning and at the end of life.

Although Phil Reed certainly advances the expressivist debate, it is not clear that the objections to the expressivist argument are so different at the end compared with the beginning of life or that this adds to and substantiates the arguments…

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