The Pros And Cons Of Physician Assisted Suicide

Although the phrase is not in the actual Hippocratic Oath, one of the most fundamental principles of the medical community is “do no harm”. One could use this principle to support the eradication of Physician Assisted Suicide, but what happens when by trying to do no harm, we actually cause more harm? Physician Assisted Suicide is defined by Merriam-Webster as “suicide by a patient facilitated by means (such as drug prescription) or by information (such as an indication of lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient’s intent” (Webster). Although often cited as “legalized murder”, it is important to note that Physician Assisted Suicide is requested by the patient, and also does have rules and regulations in their respective

While many patients who undergo the suicides are depressed, it can be hard to gauge whether that depression is leading to the suicide, or if the depression is simply correlated with the pain and suffering that they are going through naturally because of their disease. Silverman writes “In a study on factors that influence decision-making for withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining medical treatment, depression accounted for very little of the variance in patients’ decisions to forgoing life saving treatment (Lee & Ganzini, 1992)” (Silverman 16). It was then found that quality of life played the most important role when determining whether a patient would forego lifesaving treatment (Silverman

What is a patient to do if they are ready to pass, but their body is not (but will be soon)? This puts the patient in a dangerous mental state and has the potential to push the patient to suicide by other means. Yes, in theory suicide is suicide, but an at home suicide of hanging or cutting themselves, etc. is going to be much more traumatic to all involved (family, friends, patient). What happens if the suicide fails, and now you have a patient that clearly does not want to live, have to live through the ramifications of what they have done? Physician assisted suicide is not a quick, easy or spur of the moment choice. 95% of the time, patient do disclose their plans for these suicides with their families (Oregon 6). This openness allows patients to make plans with their families as well as prepare all involved for what is to come. Peter McKnight once wrote that Physician Assisted Suicide had the potential to reduce suicide, and that having the option of Physician Assisted Suicide available to them, was somehow comforting (McKnight). He adds that terminally ill people will take their own lives if the option is not available, often doing so before needing assistance