Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is defined as a suicide that has been facilitated by a physician who is aware and provides the patient with means and information to conduct the suicide.1 Currently, there are only five states in the United States that allow PAS either through the mandate of law or through the mandate of court ruling.2 Despite being legal in Washington, reports have been stated that PAS program is rarely used.3 If such, what is the purpose of legalizing PAS then? Hence, my arguments against physician-assisted suicide include the definition of a moral and dignified death, the possible emergence of a slippery slope and why safeguards do not work.
One of the common arguments is on the issue of morality and dignity. Based on a study “ A National Survey of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the United States”, physicians asked patients the reason for seeking assisting suicide.4 Primary concerns were not due to the prevention of physical sufferings, but on the loss of control, being a burden on others and loss of dignity.4 This can be supported by statistics from Oregon which reported that 91.4% support the stand due to loss of autonomy, 71.4% on the loss of …show more content…
Firstly, dying through PAS does not mean the patients will die with dignity. It contradicts the true meaning of living to exist. Secondly, PAS poses social problems such as euthanasia where physicians will be able to have the power to decide how long a patient will live. It will betray equality and human dignity.7 Besides, physicians should always be there to serve and not to kill or harm a patient.9 Lastly, safeguards may be set to ensure the “death with dignity” act is conducted properly. However, it has been shown that these safeguards have many loopholes, which will be taken advantage of, that eventually lead to failure of the system and changes to the culture’s views towards
One of the common arguments is on the issue of morality and dignity. Based on a study “ A National Survey of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in the United States”, physicians asked patients the reason for seeking assisting suicide.4 Primary concerns were not due to the prevention of physical sufferings, but on the loss of control, being a burden on others and loss of dignity.4 This can be supported by statistics from Oregon which reported that 91.4% support the stand due to loss of autonomy, 71.4% on the loss of …show more content…
Firstly, dying through PAS does not mean the patients will die with dignity. It contradicts the true meaning of living to exist. Secondly, PAS poses social problems such as euthanasia where physicians will be able to have the power to decide how long a patient will live. It will betray equality and human dignity.7 Besides, physicians should always be there to serve and not to kill or harm a patient.9 Lastly, safeguards may be set to ensure the “death with dignity” act is conducted properly. However, it has been shown that these safeguards have many loopholes, which will be taken advantage of, that eventually lead to failure of the system and changes to the culture’s views towards