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Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Assisted Suicide

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Imagine being in unrelenting physical pain, slowly approaching an inevitable death while also fighting for the legal right to end your own life. Across the United States, unfortunate people may find themselves under these circumstances if they live outside of California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, or Washington where assisted suicide is illegal.

What is assisted suicide?
Assisted suicide refers to the act of providing medical means to people with either terminal illnesses or incurable conditions who wish to end their lives. In contrast to suicide committed outside of the medical community, assisted suicide is a deliberate and regulated process that entails the help of qualified …show more content…

People have the right to autonomy over their own lives and bodies. This means that people should have the freedom to make decisions about their own lives, including the decision to end their suffering. Assisted suicide provides people with the means to do so in a dignified and painless manner, allowing them to retain control over the end of their lives.

Another argument in favor of assisted suicide is that it can provide people with relief from intense physical and psychological suffering. In some cases, people may be faced with a terminal illness or chronic pain that cannot be alleviated, leading to a reduction in the quality of life. Assisted suicide provides an option to reduce suffering while also allowing for death with dignity.

What are the potential issues or concerns?
Some argue that it is the responsibility of healthcare providers to keep people alive and provide comfort and support in their final days. New physicians are sworn under the Hippocratic oath to uphold ethical standards and “do no …show more content…

Financial or emotional pressure can influence a patient’s decision when it isn’t best for themselves, but for friends and family. This example can be seen when married couples are forced into divorce to avoid the one spouse acquiring the debt of the other before death.

On the other hand, opponents argue that there is an alternative for people contemplating assisted suicide. These alternatives include palliative care and hospice services. These services aim to maximize the quality of life while also alleviating pain or mental issues. This can provide patients with comfort and support in their final days, without resorting to assisted suicide. However, this stance is irrelevant as assisted suicide can only be carried out when an individual has already rejected every alternative.

Although assisted suicide is aimed at reducing harm, there are unintended consequences to be wary of. If healthcare providers are ending the lives of patients, those opposed to assisted suicide will begin to lose faith and trust in the system. This may cause advice from medical professionals to be baselessly questioned and ignored. On the other hand, funding for hospice services may also see a decline as patients choose a different path. If hospice services are decreasing in quality, more patients could be encouraged and persuaded towards

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