Why assisted dying matters for young people too

Three Minute Thesis-winning research

Kathryn Morrison is a PhD candidate in Applied Philosophy specializing in health care ethics. Along with her graduate research, she completed Applied Research Placements at three Ontario hospitals. “These experiences have informed my approach to complex theoretical problems, in order to develop innovative real-world solutions,” says Kathryn.

“When I started my PhD in 2015, there had been a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court of Canada which resulted in a law to decriminalize euthanasia and assisted suicide (referred to as Medical Aid in Dying or MAiD). Through this process, many interesting and challenging moral questions arose on how to balance patients’ right to choose with the need to protect vulnerable patients. I sought to contribute a moral argument on the eligibility of mature minors, a group whose vulnerability gives rise to strong legal and moral duties to their welfare.”

Kathryn won the 2019 Three Minute Thesis heat for the Faculty of Arts and advanced to present at the University 3MT finals. Watch her final presentation on the prospect of extending Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) eligibility to mature minors (a young person who demonstrates they have decision-making capacity).


Banner photo: Kathryn Morrison competes in the Arts heat of the 2019 Three Minute Thesis.