PRO vs. CON

Pro:

The pro side of the argument maintains that it IS the patients own “right to die.” This means that the people in favor of assisted suicide believe that it should be the patients own decision to end their life and that physicians should be able to help them do that. Proponents of the cause believe that patients have the right to a dignified death. It can put an end to the pain and suffering of ill patients who no longer have the will to live. Many people believe that one of the main reasons that these people wish to end their lives is that they suffer from a treatable case of depression. However, financially this treatment will cost more for the hospital and families to maintain then if they were to fulfill the patients’ wishes and end their life. Also it is difficult to question a patients true wishes and separate real feelings from side effects of depression.

CON:

People in opposition to physician-assisted suicide strongly believe that it is not right. Many members of the church condemn the practice and believe that only God and no man can decide to take the life of someone. They believe that there are alternative options to intentionally ending someone’s life, like therapy and treatment to cure depression and thoughts of suicide. Furthermore, many in opposition fear that if doctors are allowed the right to facilitate a suicide the practice will get out of hand and cause unnecessary death. Also, many believe it is the patients right to refuse treatment however it should not be anyone’s right to request to take treatment to end their life.

ME:

I believe that terminally ill patients whose death is inevitable should be able to receive a physician-assisted suicide. When patients are in severe suffering and horrific pain it should be their choice whether they want to live or die. Patients do legally have the right to refuse treatment however this would result in more pain whereas the treatment itself would just be prolonging death. It is my belief that terminally ill patients have a right to die with dignity instead of suffering and withering away in their last days. However i do believe that this law would have to be monitored. The patient should be required to receive multiple medical evaluations to confirm their deterioration and physical state, as well as request the procedure more than once to ensure the severity of their condition. I think that if a patient is in extreme pain and a hopeless situation they should have the right to obtain a physician-assisted suicide.

Overview

The issue that i have choosen to research is the controversy surrounding assisted suicide. Assisted suicide is the process in which an individual, who may otherwise be incapable, is provided with the means (drugs or other aids and equipment) to commit suicide. The issue at hand however is the legality of it.Aid in dying is legal in several jurisdictions, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and American states of Oregon (via the Oregon Death with Dignity Act), Washington (by Washington Initiative 1000), and Montana (through a trial court ruling). Many in favor of assisted suicde believe that physicians have an obligation to relieve pain and suffering and to promote the dignity of dying patients in their care and the principle of patient bodily integrity requires that physicians must respect patients’ competent decisions to forgo life-sustaining treatment. However those opposing believe that those who desire an assisted suicide while being medically treated are suffereing from slight, treatable depression and that most request to end their life due to pain however they already have a right to refuse unwanted medical treatment that results in this pain. The reason i choose this topic is purly because of interest. Ever since i watched a documentary on this issue i have been intrigued to know more. The question i will be disecting in my paper is: Should physician-assisted suicide be legalized for patients?