Of course, we know that not everyone agrees with assisted suicide, but people might agree that one has the right to it, even if they're not themselves going to exercise it.
-John Rawls
There are currently 6 states in which physician-assisted suicide is legal in. These include California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Montana. The other 44 states either have laws explicitly prohibiting physician-assisted suicide or have no specific laws, but the legality is unclear. Physician-assisted suicide is a controversial issue because it seems to go against what many of us were taught was right. When I was younger, one of the Ten Commandments, "Thou shall not kill" was ingrained in my brain. Aside from that, I learned all of my morals from my parents, and killing someone or helping someone kill themselves would have been very strongly placed in the 'bad' category.
However, physician-assisted suicide seems to blur these lines. The original translation of the Hippocratic oath states, "I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect." Although this seems like a sound counter-argument for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, it must be noted that this oath was written in either the fourth or fifth century BC and also included, "I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy." The Hippocratic Oath has since been updated and no longer includes these two ideals.
Although we don't think of it this way, many of us have had someone close to us taken away by a form physician-assisted suicide: our pets. When dogs become too old or sick, we decide it would be inhumane to make them suffer any longer, and they get put down. It's a very emotional process, but we tell ourselves that 'they're in a better place' and 'at least they're not in pain anymore.'
However, it's extremely hard for many to take this same attitude when talking about humans. We get caught up in all the 'what-ifs' and exceptions, instead of focusing on the main issue: humanity. To see someone someone slowly degrade as they reach the end of their life is emotional. They are no longer themselves, but a shadow of what they used to be, taken over by the pain and discomfort. If someone makes a conscious decision to end their pain and suffering, who are we to get in their way? Brittany Maynard, a woman with terminal brain cancer said, "There is a difference between a person who is dying and a person who is suicidal. I do not want to die. I am dying." It may be a hard decision to make, but if all the proper regulations are applied, physician-assisted suicide could be the most humane option for someone who is terminally ill.
References:
https://euthanasia.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000022
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20909
http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/subject/The-Assisted+Suicide-Comics-and-Cartoons.php
I like your view point in this piece. I agree with the fact that many times medicine is trying to keep someone alive but ignores preserving their humanity. I think people should get to choose how they die and if they don't want to suffer or to let others see them suffer then that should be their right as human beings. Being ready to give in to a disease and purposefully destroying your own health are two distinct things and I think its time that our society learns that difference.
ReplyDeleteUhm coming from a culture who does not put such emphasis on human life or killing, I am fascinated that this debate existed at all. It's suicide if the person consent that he/she wants to die. The person giving him/her sleeping drugs, are simply giving them drugs. On the other hand, if he/she is not aware that he/she is suffering, who are we to say they are. For the vegetable patients, it's definitely a conversation worth having. But for people with Alzheimer or Huntington, they still have free will, then let them choose.
ReplyDeleteI love the included comic, it goes perfect with your post. Euthanasia is highly debated because of the ethical questions it raises. When we take our old and decrepit pets to the vet, we are choosing to help end their pain as a last resort and it is a loving gesture meant with no malevolent motive. On the other end of the spectrum, Hitler had a "euthanasia" program that was disgusting and completely unacceptable. So, what about the middle region? The people who are dying, pained from cancer or other deleterious diseases, do they get a say in their life and its end? Committing suicide to end the pain is not accepted by insurance companies and has a highly negative connotation, so that's not really an option. I guess it seems that physician-assisted suicide is the only option after all others have been exhausted. It is humane, professional, and above-all, it's consented to. I think informed consent, a psychiatric evaluation, and a long-enough reflective period of time should be completed before the physician could go about with the euthanasia process. Clearly, there are a lot of questions and everyone has their beliefs and opinions and I'm not sure there is a right or wrong. Overall, great post!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, physician-assisted suicide is much more humane than watching someone with an un-treatable and painful terminal condition die slowly. I know people have ethical concerns, but if the person is making their own choice, has thought it through, and there are no other options, then why do people feel the need to control a life that is not their own?
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you chose to write about physician assisted suicide! This is such a large subject when you discuss bioethics (which if the honors college ever offers that class again I would highly recommend it!). I personally have a cousin that when facing a terminal cancer diagnosis chose to take his own life rather than face the effects of cancer. I agree that this can be a much more humane way to deal with the end of life. You did a very good job of discussing this argument-riddled topic and I love the attached comic.
ReplyDeleteDeath is an old friend of mine. During a two-year period of my life, my family attended a funeral every 2-3 months. One thing that always struck me was the varying reactions of the families. For the cancer related deaths, it seemed that they always seemed somewhat relieved. It is one thing to experience death. It is another to experience the agony of dying, only to watch that person escape their suffering. There are many cases where I understand the decision to end one's life, even if I disagree. You make several good arguments, and I think you're critique of the Hippocratic Oath argument was particularly compelling.
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