Physician Assisted Suicide Cons

Physician assisted suicide is a controversial topic in the United States. At this time, only three states have laws allowing for assisted suicide. Oregon is the first with the 1997 Death with Dignity Act, next was Washington in 2008, and lastly Vermont ("Death with", n.d.). For years, people have argued whether a patient has a right to choose how and when they die. Physician assisted suicide means to voluntary terminate your life by administering a lethal substance with the assistance of a physician. Some see it to die respectfully in their own terms, prevent financial burden on families, as well as an escape from what they feel a hopeless situation. Terminally ill patients can sometimes feel miserable, in fear of losing control over their …show more content…
Shortly after California passed the law permitting physician assisted suicide, Stephanie Parker, who has a terminal form of scleroderma, was denied coverage for chemotherapy treatments, but offered to pay for her assisted death (Richardson, 2016). Also, physicians concerned about the costs of medical treatment may subtly pressure patients into requesting physician assisted suicide (Dahl, & Levy, 2006). John Grohol, like most people, believes assisted suicide is a simple, reasonable and dignified choice that individuals at the end of their lives should be allowed greater access to (Grohol, 2016). In a personal survey students were asked if people should have the right to choose when they die, 48.3% agreed with 51.7% disagreeing. Physician assisted suicide is often viewed from the patient’s standpoint, but there are others involved. The physician, for instance, is the one liable for providing the medication to end the patient’s life. It could cause pressure on them to abide by the patient’s wishes regardless of their beliefs, which could weigh heavily on their …show more content…
Interventions addressing depression, hopelessness, and social support appear to be the best response for preventing physician-assisted suicide (Breitbart, et al., n.d.). What about people who have a living will? What if they change their minds, but because of their circumstances, are unable to tell of their desires to change. This could create suicides among people who are not sick. In order to save money on medical research it could also lead to increased medical killings. No one can know without a doubt when someone will die, doctors play the role of God by giving an estimated time frame when an ill person will die. When someone is given an estimated time to live they become gloomy and lose their zeal for life. By agreeing with physician-assisted suicide for patients in pain, and/or little time to live, we are saying it is okay to commit suicide if you’re hurting. Pain can come in the form of physical or emotional, and who’s to say where we draw the line? Assisted suicide causes emotional pain in loved ones so is it ok if they seek suicide as well? The main point is all human life is valuable, every person’s life