Euthanasia: A Conversation with Dr Megan Best

This episode covers all things euthanasia, from the origins and drivers of the pro-euthanasia movement, to the medical, social, cultural, economic, political, legislative and ethical circumstances surrounding it. The episode, however, is much more than merely a deep dive on euthanasia; it is an exploration of death, existential crisis and the way Western liberal democracies handle (and mishandle) the important role and function of death in the lives of its citizens.

Megan Best is an Associate Professor with the Institute for Ethics and Society at the University of Notre Dame Australia. She has a clinical background in palliative medicine and her research interests include spirituality in healthcare, existential suffering, psycho-oncology, and whole person care and ethics at the beginning and end of life. 

The Political Animals is hosted by Jonathan Cole, an academic, writer, speaker and translator who specialises in political theology: the intersetion of religion and politics. Previously, he worked as a Senior Terrorism Analyst at Australian intelligence agency The Office of National Assessments. You can follow Jonathan and the show on Twitter and Facebook.