Nojan Niaki
FYS
Mid Term Paper
Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Big Debate
The topic of physician-assisted suicide has long been a highly controversial topic of debate in the United States. Physician-assisted suicide occurs when a doctor supervises or overlooks the death of a patient by giving him or her the “necessary means,” or assists the patient with instructions on how to execute his or her own death (Election 2012, Northridge). Physician-assisted suicide is usually requested by patients in extreme pain, who would rather choose an instant and peaceful death over terminal suffering (Election 2012, Northridge). According to research, some 66% of U.S. adults believe that a doctor or nurse should allow a patient to die in certain circumstances …show more content…
Supporters of physician assisted suicide believe that it should be legalized for a variety of reasons. “Terminally ill adults with six months or less to live should be allowed to receive a prescription for life-ending medication (Election 2012, Northridge).” Those who are terminal patients (or who are going to die soon) should not go through excruciating suffering, and should be allowed to end it. Legalizing physician-assisted suicide would allow patients to receive their own dignity during their final days of life. According to its supporters, physician assisted suicide allows for the “Pain and anguish of the patient's family and friends (to be) lessened, and they can say their final goodbyes (Election 2012, Northridge).” Supporters of physician-assisted suicide also claim that its legalization would allow for important organs to be stored and used by doctors to spare the lives of other patients (Election 2012, …show more content…
“Life is sacred. Helping to end it is morally unacceptable (Cons-Arguments Against, About).” According to those against physician-assisted suicide, the idea of a physician aiding in the death of a patient is completely against the Hippocratic Oath (Cons-Arguments Against, About). Furthermore, allowing patients to choose their own death may lead to the abuse of the system, and in turn, would legalize murder (Cons-Arguments Against, About). Those against physician-assisted suicide also claim that choosing to take a person’s life degrades “the value of human life (Cons-Arguments Against, About).” Instead of using physician-assisted suicide, a patient’s suffering can be relived through palliative care (Cons-Arguments Against, About). Palliative care “relieves pain, symptoms, and stress caused my serious illnesses, improving patients’ quality of life (Cons-Arguments Against,
FYS
Mid Term Paper
Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Big Debate
The topic of physician-assisted suicide has long been a highly controversial topic of debate in the United States. Physician-assisted suicide occurs when a doctor supervises or overlooks the death of a patient by giving him or her the “necessary means,” or assists the patient with instructions on how to execute his or her own death (Election 2012, Northridge). Physician-assisted suicide is usually requested by patients in extreme pain, who would rather choose an instant and peaceful death over terminal suffering (Election 2012, Northridge). According to research, some 66% of U.S. adults believe that a doctor or nurse should allow a patient to die in certain circumstances …show more content…
Supporters of physician assisted suicide believe that it should be legalized for a variety of reasons. “Terminally ill adults with six months or less to live should be allowed to receive a prescription for life-ending medication (Election 2012, Northridge).” Those who are terminal patients (or who are going to die soon) should not go through excruciating suffering, and should be allowed to end it. Legalizing physician-assisted suicide would allow patients to receive their own dignity during their final days of life. According to its supporters, physician assisted suicide allows for the “Pain and anguish of the patient's family and friends (to be) lessened, and they can say their final goodbyes (Election 2012, Northridge).” Supporters of physician-assisted suicide also claim that its legalization would allow for important organs to be stored and used by doctors to spare the lives of other patients (Election 2012, …show more content…
“Life is sacred. Helping to end it is morally unacceptable (Cons-Arguments Against, About).” According to those against physician-assisted suicide, the idea of a physician aiding in the death of a patient is completely against the Hippocratic Oath (Cons-Arguments Against, About). Furthermore, allowing patients to choose their own death may lead to the abuse of the system, and in turn, would legalize murder (Cons-Arguments Against, About). Those against physician-assisted suicide also claim that choosing to take a person’s life degrades “the value of human life (Cons-Arguments Against, About).” Instead of using physician-assisted suicide, a patient’s suffering can be relived through palliative care (Cons-Arguments Against, About). Palliative care “relieves pain, symptoms, and stress caused my serious illnesses, improving patients’ quality of life (Cons-Arguments Against,