Pros And Cons Of Physician Assisted Suicide

Physician assisted suicide is an option given to patients that are terminally ill when they are in excruciating pain and would prefer to terminate their lives by using a lethal medication. In the United States, there are seven states that have legalized physician-assisted suicide: California, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and District of Colombia. Oregon was the first state in the United States to legalize physician-assisted suicide in 1994, while the rest of the states followed in the twenty-first century. Physician assisted suicide is the last option a patient is given make when they have no other treatment plans that will help them live a comfortable life. The patient will have to meet specific criteria in which they have

According to Faye Girsh, an executive director of the Hemlock Society USA, remarks in her article “Death with Dignity: Choices and Challenges,” that “During the first year, 23 patients obtained medication from their doctors, but just 15 used it to end their lives… This shows that people want to know they have a choice, but not all will take advantage of it (2000).” This highlights how if physician assisted suicide were to be legalized it may only become an option to those who are completely sure of their decision. Asking and having the alternative can simply be reassuring to patients who have a poor quality of life. These patients are also aware of all the precautions and steps that need to be taken in order to be approved for this treatment plan. Some of those steps are to acknowledge their other treatment plans, they must write and orally present their request, and be cleared by a psychologist stating they are capable of making a decision (Girsh 2000). Therefore, patients who ask their physicians for their assistance in suicide can be not only mentally competent but are aware of the meaning of physician assisted

In “Swearing Off the Oath,” by Robert Lowes, a new physician and contributing editor, Lewis illustrates how the Hippocratic Oath is against surgery and abortion, however, these procedures are practiced in our society on a daily basis. As result, the Hippocratic Oath is constantly being modified to fit the social norms and medical norms of today’s society. With this in mind physician assisted suicide is a new issue that is being addressed when swearing to the Hippocratic Oath. In addition, Numann also mentions how students in the University of Illinois have a different interpretation of the Hippocratic Oath that focuses on the emphasis of healing. "I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgment (Dying Wishes, 1994)." Meaning that a physician who is taught to protect a life at all cost may need to go against their personal feelings and offer the patient the best method to keep them comfortable even if it means informing them of physician assisted suicide. In other instances where there are no signs of recovery and only suffering, the most humane and professional thing a doctor could do is give the patient the choice, after all, we do not have the cure for every disease out there or the medication to end a patients pain. Therefore, physician assisted suicide should be legalized as a method to help those who do not