Essay on Assisted Suicide and the Right to Die - 2282 Words

Assisted Suicide and the Right to Die The basic dilemma surrounding the subject of assisted suicide is who has the right to choose when someone dies? There are many layers of questions and varying opinions surrounding this right. How can our own self-determination be considered morally wrong when taken in the context of the opinion of others? In a society that stresses individual freedoms why is it that Congress continues to hinder doctor-assisted suicide (Keminer, 2000, p. 8)? First some terms require clarification. Suicide is considered the intentional killing of ones self. Homicide is determined to be the intentional killing of one person by another (Savulescu, 1978, p. 31). Euthanasia (Greek: good death) is the†¦show more content†¦The question then becomes, how far do individual rights go in view of society as a whole? One of the primary arguments in opposition to legalizing physician-assisted suicide is that there is no effective way of constraining the practice so as to provide adequate protections for the poor and the weak. There have been no hard facts to support whether this problem exists or persists. Until more data is accumulated this argument is moot. The practice of physician assisted suicide is not really suicide at all. There seems to be four distinct types of cases that deal with doctor-assisted suicide. The first is when life-saving treatment is discontinued. This includes shutting off or removing a patient from equipment used in keeping the individual alive-including both feeding and other equipment to prolong an individuals life. The second case involves not being placed on life saving equipment initially. The third type is that the patient requests a lethal drug or drug dosage, which he can take at a time of his choosing. The fourth case type is when a patient is incapable of taking the drug himself and asks the physician to administer it. The first two cases are legally permitted in the United States. They are also, by societal consensus, considered morally acceptable. The doctor must ensure the lucid mental state of the patient and thatShow MoreRelatedThe Right to Die in Assisted Suicide2517 Words   |  11 PagesInitial Thoughts on Physician Assisted Suicide (February 28th, 2013) The promotion of physician assisted suicide has sparked a debate throughout the world. From my point of view, assisted suicide is doctors assist patients who could not endure the pain of diseases and are voluntarily given lethal amount of substances resulting in death. However, physician assisted suicide might be considered to be deviant in many countries currently due to the religions, laws and the negative image. AlsoRead MoreAssisted Suicide And The Right Of Die Essay1792 Words   |  8 PagesAssisted Suicide and the Right to Die Assisted suicide and the right to die has been a controversial topic in both society and the medical field. Many people are against assisted suicide due to religious or personal beliefs. This topic has many viewpoints and different reasons behind its position. These viewpoints vary from person to person, but only some main points can be covered. Most people feel that assisted suicide and the right to die should be only limited to people who are terminallyRead MoreThe Right to Die with Dignity: Physician Assisted Suicide Essay examples781 Words   |  4 PagesPhysician assisted suicide should be a choice of the patient in Florida. There has long been a debate on Physician assisted suicide in the state of Florida, and in many other US states. The government has the burden on whether to pass an initiative on allowing physician assisted suicide. The Right to die initiative is decided on a state by state basis. Physician-assisted suicide is defined as a physician providing either equipment or medication, or to inform the patient of the most availableRead MoreThe Death Of Terminally Ill919 Words   |  4 PagesAs Americans, we are granted rights in this country and these rights, according to the Declaration of Independence, grant us â€Å"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness†. So tell me why someone that is terminally ill cannot use these rights to end their life of pain and suffering. Some states have rallied and given those who are terminally ill the right to die. However, some simply see this means of ending a life, inhumane, unethical, immoral, and just plain wrong. As a citizen of the United StatesRead MoreEuthanasia And Physician Assisted Suicide1629 Words   |  7 Pagesdeath will be like. Will death be peaceful or painful? How will our death affect the ones we love? It would seem that most people would desire to die with dignity. Having the choice to die peacefully is a valuable option that every human should be able to make for themselves. For those with terminal illnesses or major health problems, assisted suicide creates options to reduce the amount of suffering the patient must enduring. Dying with dignity could be beneficial for not only the person who isRead MoreThe Right to Commit Physician-Assisted Suicide1685 Words   |  7 PagesThe Right to Commit Physician-Assisted Suicide Physician-assisted suicide is suicide by a patient facilitated by means or information (as a drug prescription or indication of the lethal dosage) provided by a physician who is aware of how the patient intends to use such means or information (â€Å"Physician-assisted suicide†). Physician-assisted suicide should be accessible to the incurably ill patient. Allowing a patient to have this freedom could, for one, bypass tremendous pain and suffering.Read MoreThe Euthanasia Is The Act Of Ending One s Own Life1530 Words   |  7 Pagessuffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition. Euthanasia is different from physician assisted suicide in that with euthanasia, the doctor is the one who provides and administers the life ending drugs, and in physician assisted suicide, the doctor can only provide the drugs. A big difference between the two is that euthanasia is illegal in all states; while, physician assisted suicide is legal in only five states in America. Having the option to end one’s own life when the pain and sufferingRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Allowed?895 Words   |  4 Pages The â€Å"right to die† debate is a very sensitive and complex issue in modern culture. While suicide is a legal act in the United States, assisted suicide is not. Opinions on the subject are shaped by countless factors such as ethical issues, social issues, and primarily religious issues. Many people are opposed to the legalization of physician assisted suicide for â€Å"moral† reasons, however, legalization ultimately allows terminally ill people to die with dignity, sustains basic human rights, and supportsRead MoreThe Rights Of Assisted Suicide Essay1584 Words   |  7 PagesThe Right To Die With Dignity Assisted suicide is the act of committing suicide with the help of another person or doctor, most commonly referred to as Physician Assisted Suicide. It is currently legal in Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Montana, California, and Colorado. Considering the increase of people dying from terminal illnesses, assisted suicide should be legalized across the nation. People that suffer from a terminal illness that can’t be cured or treated and will result in death have the rightRead MoreIs The Amendment Number 9 Assisted Suicide?1719 Words   |  7 PagesAmendment Number 9 Assisted Suicide. Assisted suicide is â€Å"the suicide of a patient suffering from an incurable disease, affected by the taking of lethal drugs provided by a doctor for this purpose† (Oxford Living Dictionaries). This falls under the 9th Amendment; the 9th Amendment â€Å"was part of the Bill of Rights that was added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791. It says that all the rights not listed in the C onstitution belong to the people, not the government. The rights of the people are