Argumentative Essay

Much of modern medicine prolongs not only living, but also dying. Physician-assisted suicide is a quite controversial topic as it brings up questions about the morality of killing, the credibility of consent, and the duty of physicians. This is not a new problem; assisted suicide has been discussed in all cultures from very early historical times to the present. However, medicine's recent technological progress has led to an increased ability to extend life. This new potential has made this problem much more pressing than it has in the past. I believe opposition to assisted suicide is in error not only because it does not allow for mercy, but also because the position does not take into account one's autonomy. I

Opponents of the new law restricting assisted suicide to all living beings believe that the new law decreases the value of a human life. Assisted suicide in the beginning appears like a good thing to have available. However, on closer examination, there are many reasons legalization is an extremely serious mistake. Supporters often focus merely on artificial issues of choice and self-determination. Assisted suicide would have many unintended consequences.

In a free society, people’s bodies and the ownership of their bodies is a basic right and freedom. The freedom to do as they choose with their own bodies is intrinsic in that freedom. It is not only the right of human being but also if they are Americans, according to the Declaration of Independence “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.” This essay presents a short chronological over view of the evolution of assisted suicide, from history, present day, and future of this issue in the United States. The historical evidence of death with dignity reveals the strong position that “the right to die is a prochoice issue.” With the growing support for assisted suicide the legislation of it will have to be settled state by state. Even if the government doesn’t legalize it, the government should at least decriminalize it. With the decriminalization of assisted suicide, it would no longer make individuals and their physician felons. It would give individuals their right to do with their body as they want. Similarly to the decimalization of doing what you want to your body through the use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.

As definition states, assisted suicide is the suicide of a patient suffering from an incurable disease. Assisted suicide originated so that a terminally ill patient could be aided with his/her intentions of suicide.(Webster, 2011) Also to give the patient an opportunity to die on their own terms. Euthanasia also plays a key role in assisted suicide. Euthanasia has to be required by a conscious patient suffering from an irreversible affliction inducing physical and/or

The civil argument in the U.S. over whether or not to authorize physician-assisted suicide and active euthanasia has reached new levels of vehemence. Oregon, California, Vermont, and Washington (and Montana, via court ruling) have become the first states to legalize physician-assisted suicide. There has, too, been campaigning, ballot measures, bills, and litigation in other states in attempts to legalize one or both practices. Supporters increasingly urge either absolute legalization or another form of legitimation, through claims of “mercy killing” when compared to homicide. As stated by representatives of the Ethics and Human Rights Committee, “Many people fear a painful and protracted death or desire more control over the dying process” (209).

Assisted Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. There are many ethical dilemmas surrounding assisted suicide. Although there is no way to truly say whether assisted suicide is a good or bad thing. I can say that it would be ethically wrong to legalize it. How, it can open the floodgates for anyone to medically end their life, we are not meant to “pay God”, and it can jeopardize the ethical and moral duties of healthcare professionals. When someone thinks of the word “suicide” most think of a person killing him or herself to escape their problems, except assisted suicide isn’t quite the same. According to Batten “Assisted suicide is the means by which an individual choose to end his or her life via the help of another person, who may offer medical assistance” (Batten 398). Death isn’t something a health care professional should be allowed to assist with but rather guide the patient back to a healthier state.

The fact of the matter is that as America continues to grow in understanding, the legality of assisted suicide should only continue to rise as other states will begin to adopt their own laws on the subject. Yet no matter what the future holds for assisted suicide cases, it is safe to assume the issue will always be shrouded in some kind of controversy. There will always be people who believe that their ideas are the only ones worth having and that they know what is best for you; however, everyone needs to remember that this is the choice that these people have made for themselves with their best interest in mind and by denying people the right to die. By denying people their right to die, you deny their right to the pursuit of happiness, something this country was founded on. That’s why it is crucial that all American men and women have the option of physician assisted suicide regardless of what others believe.

Over the last thirty years the fight over assisted suicide has earned a spot in the national spotlight, for both positive and negative reasons depending on your stance on the issue. There have been challenges made based off the constitution, the right to privacy and moral reasons for both sides. While there have been many notable persons of interest during this time some have helped the cause as others have hindered progress.

The controversy over the legalization of this issue has been getting increasingly more prevalent. Advocates of physician assisted suicide believe that it is the patient 's right to end their own life. It would permanently end their suffering, and would allow them to have peace of mind in their death. These people point to the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon, claiming it as proof that the legalization of assisted suicide can and will work. On the other hand, we can see many flaws in the process. In addition to saying that it is unethical, many Americans argue that this kind of law will be abused. They claim that before long, many patients will feel

Legalizing assisted dying is that it will lead to pressure on the old, disabled and infirm to end their lives. It’s a fear we shouldn’t take lightly, although it also no basis. For instance, Oregon in 19994, it became the first state in America to legalize assisted dying, with the law going into effect in 1998. Ten years later, the number of doctor-assisted suicides stood at 341 per decade. In 2007, the journal of medical ethics analysed the cases of every single patient and find poor, elderly, minority, or otherwise “vulnerable” groups were presented as infrequently as everyone else. (EVIDENCE REQUIRED) argues that legalizing assisted dying will open the floodgates, leading to a murder happy world where life is cheap and death is easy. But

     Assisted suicide is one of the most controversial topics discussed among people every day. Everyone has his or her own opinion on this topic. This is a socially debated topic that above all else involves someone making a choice, whether it be to continue with life or give up hope and die. This should be a choice that they make themselves. However, In the United States, The land of the free, only one state has legalized assisted suicide. I am for assisted suicide and euthanasia. This paper will support my many feelings on this subject.

Today, voluntary euthanasia is getting closer to being legalized in more than just one state in the United States. “‘Voluntary’ euthanasia means that the act of putting the person to death is the end result of the person’s own free will” (Bender 19). “ Voluntary euthanasia is an area worthy of our serious consideration, since it would allow patients who have exhausted all other reasonable options to choose death rather than continue suffering” (Bender 19). The question of whether or not voluntary euthanasia should be legalized is a major debate that has been around for years. Because the issue of whether people should have the right to choose how they want to live or die is so complex. With the advances in technology today we have made

Assisted suicide is illegal in most of the US and has been for centuries . It has been a debate if this is right or wrong in many countries. An article about why it is illegal in the UK states that, “Assisting a suicide can cover a wide spectrum of criminality,” (Robinson, Vicki; Scott, Helen 2012-2013) . In this case, assisted suicide is considered a crime. When a patient is terminally ill, they have a disease that cannot be cured or treated sufficiently, so it can be reasonable to expect death within a short period of time as a result. The topics are; why people believe assisted suicide is inhumane, how it takes away a person’s right to make their own decisions, how it should be their own choice, they need to be in the right state of mind, an individual needs to be able to speak for oneself in order to make any final decision, and a family’s influence and impact on the patient. Assisted suicide was made illegal because it appears as if it’s “encouraging suicide,” (Robinson, Vicki; Scott, Helen 2012-2013). Death should be a right, it is more inhumane allowing the terminally ill to suffer a long, drawn-out death.

Assisted Suicide dates all the way back to 500 BC when the ancient Greeks and Romans supported it, to presently something going on in our lives. Assisted suicide is the suicide of a patient that is suffering from an incurable disease, by taking lethal drugs that have been provided by a doctor for this specific purpose. Euthanasia is the same thing, but the definitions are different. It is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an irreversible coma. This practice is illegal in most countries, including the United States (excluding 2 individual states). There are two types of euthanasia: passive and active. Passive euthanasia is when the patient dies because the medical professionals either stop doing

“The suicide of a patient suffering from an incurable disease, effected by the taking of lethal drugs provided by a doctor for this purpose,” is the dictionary definition of assisted suicide, or assisted death. Much debate has taken place over whether or not this should be a right of the terminally ill, and whether a doctor can grant that wish. Although modern medicine has brought a multitude of benefits to humanity, it cannot relieve the pain and suffering associated with the dying process.