The Benefits Of Legalizing Physician Assisted Suicide

Physician assisted suicide has created an opportunity for terminally ill patients unlike any other. Physicians have the ability to make dying a peaceful process for patients. In 1997 each state was granted, by the Supreme Court, the right to choose whether or not to legalize physician assisted suicide (Schencker). Even after multiple years only a small number of states have legalized physician assisted suicide. “My hope for every patient I encounter: they will be able to die with dignity, with grace and minimal suffering, the way they choose to go surrounded with loved ones” (Getter 1304). Even though some cases show that patients have survived terminal illness, physician assisted suicide should be legal in all of the states because patients have a right to their own body, a last resort option if necessary, and a pain ending solution. Physician assisted suicide has been up for debate for many years. Hermann Sander was one of the many doctors to illegally practice physician assisted suicide in 1950. He stood firmly on his beliefs. Abbie Borrotto was a …show more content…
Many medical professionals have explained their concern for legislature because of the small chance of survival of terminal illness (Popik). Legislature has not passed in multiple states. Bills in Iowa, Utah, and Colorado have failed this year (Popik). More research should be done to reconsider assisted suicide as a valid option for terminally ill patients. There is a small amount of research done on assisted suicide. Most research is done on suicide prevention (Johnson et. al 583). Medical professionals would be able to understand the advantage of legalizing physician assisted suicide with more research. The ability of a doctor making an educated decision on a patient’s prognosis and illness should not come into question when passing legislature. The survival of terminal illness is an incredibly small number compared to death caused by terminal