Physician assisted suicide (PAS) is a term used to describe the practice of a physician assisting a terminally ill patient in ending their life. This process is usually accomplished by the physician prescribing a lethal dose of medication that the patient will self-administer. The act of physicians assisting terminally ill patients in taking their own lives have been the focus of many heated debates throughout our nation’s history. In fact, the Hippocratic Oath states, “I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan.”
Those who oppose PAS state that it makes a public statement that not all lives are of value, specifically to the disabled and elderly citizens. Proponents who oppose such practice, also claim it allows for an unacceptable level of abuse, as the physicians prescribe, but do not control the administering of the lethal drug. With healthcare costs continuing to rise, in addition to an increasing elderly population, it is argued that individuals could be pressured into electing PAS against their true wishes as a way to alleviate the financial burden to loved ones. However, the opposing group that accounts for what seems to be the majority is those from the religious sector, often referring to the ten commandments, thou shalt not kill.
…show more content…
As controversial as it may seem, they also address the possible cost savings that would be directly affected by reducing expensive medical treatments needed to artificially extend one’s natural life. As with the great amount of opposition from religious organization, there also exists a large amount of organizations that feel they should have the right to choose their own death in accordance with their religious