Physician-assisted suicide has become an increasingly controversial topic over the last two decades. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Physician-assisted suicide is, “suicide by a patient facilitated by means (as a drug prescription) or by information (as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient's intent.” The process one must endure to partake in assisted suicide is rather extensive; not everyone who qualifies for it receives the medication. The idea began in 1990, when Dr. Jack Kevorkian assisted 54 year-old Janet Adkins of Portland, Oregon, who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease, in committing suicide with his hand-made “suicide machine.” This machine had three stages: a saline solution, a sedative (thiopental), and finally a lethal dose of potassium chloride that would stop the heart altogether. In his later years, Dr. Kevorkian developed his more commonly used machine, also known as the “Mercitron,” where he replaced the potassium chloride with carbon monoxide gas, …show more content…
The Catholic Church has strict rules and guidelines set forth in their church doctrines that not only prohibit any form of assisted suicide, but also Euthanasia in its entirety. According to the Catechism, the following is said in regards to death and the rights to it bestowed upon human beings from God:
2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator…
2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his