Ethics of Physician-Assisted Suicide

Paper Summary:

The moral and constitutional issues surrounding physician-assisted suicide are extensively debated. This paper discusses that, if physician-assisted suicide is to become part of standard medical practice in the United States, there is a need to resolve the difficulties associated with its practical application. It explains that professional societies would need to cooperate to develop practice guidelines for physician-assisted suicide. Individual physicians will need to sort out for themselves what their personal positions will be and how their practice and referrals will be affected. It explains that professional education efforts that address palliative care options and reliable prescribing information would be essential. Physician-assisted suicide is a just and ethical act. It concludes that everyone who is suffering from a terminal illness has right to be free from pain and to die with dignity.

From the Paper:

"All persons have a moral right to choose freely what they will do with their lives as long as they inflict no harm on others. This right of free choice includes the right to end one's life when we choose. For most people, the right to end one's life is a right they can easily exercise, but there are many who want to die, but whose disease, handicap, or condition renders them unable to end their lives in a dignified manner. When such people ask for assistance in exercising their right to die, their wishes should be respected. Using egoism, the utilitarian code of ethics, and Thiroux's system of humanitarian ethics we can see if physician-assisted suicide is either ethical or non-ethical."

More papers on Ethics of Physician-Assisted Suicide:

• Analytical Essay # 59089 : "Physician-Assisted Suicide"
• Argumentative Essay # 71807 : "Physician-Assisted Suicide"
• Analytical Essay # 6471 : "Physician Assisted Suicide: A Personal Review From Oregon"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: