"The right of a competent, terminally ill person to avoid excruciating pain and embrace a timely and dignified death bears the sanction of history and is implicit in the concept of ordered liberty.” (Supreme 3) While it is worth our time to consider the potential misuses of PAS we should as human beings take ample notice of the suffering by those who are in their final days due to a terminal illness. Legalization of physician-assisted suicide is important because it is morally repugnant to use the legal apparatus to restrict end of life choices. While the roles of doctor and patient are predefined, it is important to note how these relationships are evolving around the world and in the US. Multiple countries have passed laws allowing for terminally ill individuals to choose the time and place for their final breath. One of the foundations of the American legal system is liberty for the individual. What is more precious than the gift of choosing to end one’s own suffering?
Allowing for doctors to assist the terminally ill with suicide is new to America. It was first made legal in Vermont in 2013. (Hallenbeck np) It has since been legalized or allowances have been made via court ruling in California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Montana and the District of Columbia. (State np) The idea that the right of the individual to end his or her life is one protected by the courts when Judge Nan Nash stated, “This Court cannot envision a right more fundamental, more private or more integral to the liberty, safety and happiness of a New Mexican than the right of a competent, terminally ill patient to choose aid in dying.” (Second 12) The United States Declaration of Independence states “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” surely if we have the right to life then we must have the right to end our life. (Jefferson np) The evolving interpretation of personal liberty is not at odds with traditional doctor patient relationships. However, some say contrary. (Battin 177)
The role of doctors and patients has been evolving and changing throughout history. Barbers no longer perform surgery. (McGrew 30-31) We now have Lidocaine for dental work. (Lidocaine np) There are people who prefer to give birth at home with a midwife but the option for hospital births are available for the people who desire to give birth in the safety of the professional environment of a local hospital’s birthing center. Philip Nitschke MD’s statement expresses his views on the changes to the Hippocratic Oath and the appropriateness of PAS when he said “Over time the Hippocratic Oath has been modified on a number of occasions as some of its tenets became less and less acceptable. References to women not studying medicine and doctors not breaking the skin have been deleted. The much-quoted reference to 'do no harm' is also in need of explanation. Does not doing harm mean that we should prolong a life that the patient sees as a painful burden? Surely, the 'harm' in this instance is done when we prolong the life, and 'doing no harm' means that we should help the patient die. Killing the patient--technically, yes. Is it a good thing--sometimes, yes. Is it consistent with good medical end-of-life care: absolutely yes." (Lopez np) His opinions and views are not much different from others around the world.
Currently eight countries allow PAS or Euthanasia. (staff np) The Netherlands were the first the legalize Euthanasia and PAS when they passed Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide Act of 2012. (Justitie np) Followed by Belgium with The Belgian Act on Euthanasia of May 28, 2002. (The Belgian np) In the United States there exist no laws allowing for PAS via federal legislation. The Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that there is no Constitutional right to suicide. (SUPREME COURT np) Allowing for states to legislate PAS. The New York State Department of Health said, "Under any new system of health care delivery, as at present, it will be far less costly to give a lethal injection than to care for a patient throughout the dying process.” in The New York State Department of Health Report of 2011. (Would np) There is no one size fits all approach to PAS. We should allow for each community to bring this subject up for discussion and see the benefits of such allowed abilities.
In my opinion, we would benefit from allowing death with dignity to be an option. When or if the time comes that the choice is before you to decide weather or not to allow for PAS or euthanasia, I implore you to allow a swift completion of the lives of those who are finished living. Just like time flies when you’re having fun so do the seconds drag on when we endure suffering. The evolving relationships of doctors and patients continues to change. Let us move in the direction that allows for the maximum personal control to one’s own life. When the end of life suffering can be opted out of by others around the world restricting it here in the United States seems draconian. A slow steady push in the right direction will move us to better days.
Supreme Court of the United States. ACLU Amicus Brief in Vacco v. Quill. 10 Dec. 1996.
Second Judicial District Court. Morris v. New Mexico. 13 Jan. 2014.
Hallenbeck, Terri. “Vermont Adjusts to New Way of Dying.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 14 July 2013.
“State-by-State Guide to Physician-Assisted Suicide - Euthanasia - ProCon.org.” ProConorg Headlines.
Jefferson, Thomas, et al. “Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration.
Battin, Margaret P., et al. “Physician Stay Thy Hand.” Physician Assisted Suicide: Expanding the Debate, Routledge, 1998, p. 177.
McGrew, R. E. Encyclopedia of Medical History. McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1985.
“Lidocaine - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
Lopez, Kathryn Jean. “Euthanasia Sets Sail.” National Review, 5 June 2001,
staff, Guardian. “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Laws around the World.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 July 2014,
Justitie, Ministerie van Veiligheid en. “Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide and Non-Resuscitation on Request - Euthanasia.” Euthanasia | Government.nl, Ministerie Van Algemene Zaken, 6 June 2017,
“The Belgian Act on Euthanasia of May, 28th 2002.” Ethical Perspectives., U.S. National Library of Medicine,
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS PROHIBITIONS ON ASSISTED SUICIDE, biotech.law.lsu.edu/cases/pro_lic/vacco_glucks_brief.htm.
“Would Financial Motivations Encourage Insurance Companies, Health Care Providers, and Patients to Seek Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide If Those Options Were Legally Available? - Euthanasia - ProCon.org.” ProConorg Headlines,