Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS), has been a moral dilemma in the hot seat since the passing of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act in 1997. All throughout the US, states have been trying to pass acts that allow people to die with dignity using PAS, the most recent being Colorado. PAS is a conflicting topic because it causes concern if the choice is morally ethical for the patient and for the others making these decisions like, doctors, psychologist, and other family members. PAS can cause conflict among religion and personal beliefs but it should be seen as an individual 's right not a communal right. The article referenced within this paper is “The Role of and Challenge for Psychologist in Physician Assisted Suicide” written by Shara M. Johnson,
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The article looks at all arguments made for and against PAS when it comes to a psychologist helping a patient with the decision and how people have a chance to die with dignity. The beginning of “The Role of and Challenge for Psychologist in Physician Assisted Suicide”, gives a brief history of PAS and which states currently deem it legal like Oregon, Washington and Montana. Along with the history of PAS comes the pros and cons of assisted suicide, according to Johnson, Cramer, Conroy, & Gardner (2014) some of the pros included, “individuals have the right to oversee their own goals and destinies, which …show more content…
If a person knows for sure that they will not conquer their sickness then PAS could be a viable option to save their memory. I learned that patients have it tough when it comes to their will to live. People shouldn’t have to suffer when they know the end result is death. A psychologist isn’t completely necessary when it comes to assisted suicide, but I understand why one would be used if a person is having a mental breakdown. PSA decisions put psychologist in conflicting positions because they want to please their patient, but they don’t want to break an ethical code. Through this article I realised how complicated this topic is, but my stance does not change because I believe that terminally and chronically ill patients deserve a break in their
The article looks at all arguments made for and against PAS when it comes to a psychologist helping a patient with the decision and how people have a chance to die with dignity. The beginning of “The Role of and Challenge for Psychologist in Physician Assisted Suicide”, gives a brief history of PAS and which states currently deem it legal like Oregon, Washington and Montana. Along with the history of PAS comes the pros and cons of assisted suicide, according to Johnson, Cramer, Conroy, & Gardner (2014) some of the pros included, “individuals have the right to oversee their own goals and destinies, which …show more content…
If a person knows for sure that they will not conquer their sickness then PAS could be a viable option to save their memory. I learned that patients have it tough when it comes to their will to live. People shouldn’t have to suffer when they know the end result is death. A psychologist isn’t completely necessary when it comes to assisted suicide, but I understand why one would be used if a person is having a mental breakdown. PSA decisions put psychologist in conflicting positions because they want to please their patient, but they don’t want to break an ethical code. Through this article I realised how complicated this topic is, but my stance does not change because I believe that terminally and chronically ill patients deserve a break in their