It has been the base of many laws and rulings regarding the rights we have as citizens. However, the 9th amendment of the United States Constitution states that the it does not include all the rights a citizen has, and that if those rights were not listed, it does not mean that a citizen does not have those rights (U.S. Constitution IX). Since the right to physician-assisted suicide is not listed, or any right pertaining to one’s own physical health, it should not be dismissed as something that federal law is able to control. A person’s body and their own life is their right to control, not the federal government’s. Yes, doctors and physicians are legally obligated to aid a patient in the best interest of their health, and healing them to the best of their ability. On the other hand, according the the American Medical Association, who have formed a code of medical ethics, “A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the patient” (“Principles”). This line from the code states that although a doctor is required to follow the law, they should do what is in their ability to bypass it [legally] if such law interferes with the health of their patient. Bypassing a federal law when it is in the best interest of the patient is difficult, but it has been done before in the
It has been the base of many laws and rulings regarding the rights we have as citizens. However, the 9th amendment of the United States Constitution states that the it does not include all the rights a citizen has, and that if those rights were not listed, it does not mean that a citizen does not have those rights (U.S. Constitution IX). Since the right to physician-assisted suicide is not listed, or any right pertaining to one’s own physical health, it should not be dismissed as something that federal law is able to control. A person’s body and their own life is their right to control, not the federal government’s. Yes, doctors and physicians are legally obligated to aid a patient in the best interest of their health, and healing them to the best of their ability. On the other hand, according the the American Medical Association, who have formed a code of medical ethics, “A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the patient” (“Principles”). This line from the code states that although a doctor is required to follow the law, they should do what is in their ability to bypass it [legally] if such law interferes with the health of their patient. Bypassing a federal law when it is in the best interest of the patient is difficult, but it has been done before in the