Physician Assisted Suicide Argumentative Essay

Only six states out of the fifty in the United States have legalized physician-assisted suicide. Those six states include: California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington DC. The remaining forty-four states consider physician-assisted suicide illegal. (“State-by-State Guide to Physician-Assisted Suicide – Euthanasia – ProCon.org,”) Only forty-two percent of people in the U.S. support euthanasia as a whole. Eighty-six percent of the population supports the idea of physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill and patients on life support. Worst of all, the average percent of patients that are terminally ill who die in pain is as high as fifty-five percent. (Statistic Brain Research Institute) Euthanasia should be legal

People often argue that a person should have a mental evaluation before making a decision as severe as physician-assisted suicide. Another argument one could make is from a moral standpoint, but most specifically from their religious beliefs. Most believe that life is the ultimate gift and one should never demoralize this precious gift. Above all, the most important argument one can make is a doctor’s stance against euthanasia. It is believed that physicians should not be involved euthanasia as a doctor’s purpose is to treat, maintain, and promote the patient’s well-being. The American College of Physicians states, “the organization of 152,000 medical professionals stands against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide”. The organization is calling this act “the practice of which raises ethical, clinical, and other concerns”. (“Fewer Doctors Support Assisted Suicide Poll Says”) On the other hand, the number of physicians who support physician-assisted suicide is increasing. In 2010 forty-six percent of physicians were pro-euthanasia. The percent continued to grow to fifty-four percent in 2014.