Ethical Considerations in Physician-Assisted Suicide

Paper Summary:

In a 1997 issue of Medical Economics it was reported that the Florida Supreme Court had ruled against physician-assisted suicide in a decision overturning a trial judge's finding, giving AIDS patient Charles E. Hall the right to die as he wished. According to the Florida court, his intention to commit suicide through medical intervention was against the state's policy to preserve life. This paper examines the legal ethics surrounding physician-assisted euthanasia and shows that the laws of most states in America are based on the Judeo-Christian concept that suicide is a moral evil. The paper ultimately argues that suicide assisted by the patient's personal physician should be legalized.

From the Paper:

"While there is a focus on the right to life, there is also what is considered to be a "negative right" which is the right not to have bodily injury or pain inflicted on oneself. Clearly, some medical procedures are painful in and of themselves, but when even this does not provide even short-term benefit, other options should be available without repercussion, should it be necessary to function as an agent of simple compassion to alleviate the pain of living and the fear of dying. There are few as capable of doing that as an individual's physician, who should be entrusted to the care of the body, understanding that death is truly a viable part of life, and that choices impacting self should be the exclusive right of the individual."

More papers on Ethical Considerations in Physician-Assisted Suicide:

• Persuasive Essay # 56988 : "Ethics of Physician-Assisted Suicide"
• Analytical Essay # 27722 : "Ethics in Decision Making"
• Argumentative Essay # 97355 : "Support for Physician Assisted Suicide"

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