Suicide is the ultimate act of self-harm, and has never been promoted by any society in history. But suicidal acts in war or on behalf of one's family may be lauded, and a blind eye sometimes turned to desperate acts of the terminally ill. Looked at from the point of view of philosophy, psychiatry and everyday medical reality, can a case ever be made for being "better off dead?"

The March seminar of the Clinical Unit in Ethics and Health Law will be presented by Peter Saul, Michael Hicks and Brian Kelly. Peter is an intensivist and well-known ethicist. Michael is a Newcastle Medical graduate, and is currently working as an intern; and Brian is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Newcastle.

Please join us at the Royal Newcastle Centre for another fascinating look at the interface of ethics, law and medicine. We will meet in the usual place, RNC foyer, at 6pm for supper; with the seminar to commence at 6.30. Please RSVP to charles.douglas@newcastle.edu.au for rough numbers; all welcome, students and general public included, admission free.