Legalizing Assisted Suicide Argumentative Analysis

Assisted suicide is a topic that has ignited a severe debate due to the controversy that surrounds its implementation. Assisted suicide occurs when a patients expresses their intention to die and request a physician to assist them in the process. Some countries like Oregon, Canada, and Belgium have legalized the process terming it as an alternative to prolonged suffering for patients who are bound to die. Unlike euthanasia where a physician administers the process, assisted suicide requires that the patient voluntarily initiates and executes the process. Although there exists concession such a process is important to assist patients die without much suffering, there has emerged criticism on its risk of abuse and as an expression of medical

Assisted suicide is suicide committed with the aid of another person, or physicians. It is only legal in four states in the U.S., where physicians are allowed to prescribe medication to hasten death. Ending suffering through euthanasia is a moral issue that has caused many controversies.

Assisted suicide is the suicide of a terminally- ill patient, achieved by using a prescribed drug from a doctor for that specific purpose. It is legal in only six states in the United States of America including: Oregon, Montana, Washington, Colorado, Vermont, and California. Countries such as Germany, Japan, and Switzerland have legalized assisted suicide in past years. It has been disputed for many years and continues to be a controversial issue whether physicians should be authorized to end an individual’s life with their prescription and if this should be done legally.

Every individual has to make choices in life; life can be seen as a plethora of crossroads veering off into different directions with every which way. Choices that can create or destroy life; in the blink of an eye a life could end, but in the same moment a new life could be brought into existence. The choice of physician-assisted suicide provides control, familiarity, and closure to the terminally ill patients. The patient is able to choose where he or she will be, when the time is right, and the ability to be surrounded around loved-ones and gain closure by saying goodbye in a timely-manner.

We as U.S. citizens have a right to make an informed decision about how we should end our own life if we are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Currently, SB 128 “establishes the End of Life Option Act allowing an adult with the capacity to make medical decisions who has been diagnosed with a terminal disease, to receive a prescription for an aid-in-dying drug in order to end his or her life in a human and dignified manner” (Senate Bill 128, 2015, p. 2). End of Life Option Act is consistent with the social work values because this act is about self-determination, which is the primary goal of a social worker and this act is giving every one a fair and equal chance to decide their own fate in a human and dignified way.

Suicide is not considered a crime but assisted or encouraged suicide is a crime is under the suicide act of 1961. Assisted suicide would violate this act that was enacted in 1961. It is argued that the suicide act is decades old, this still doesn’t define the fact that it should be changed. It has provided a stable law that we are under and required to follow because it is the best for us. Take the civil rights of 1964 for an example where discrimination was outlawed. Should it be modified in any way restricting certain gender, race, or religion from employment? It was an act that was enacted for the best of our society. Additionally, like the civil rights act the suicide act should not be modified in any way if it is what's best. It's been

Is life worth living when death is upon a human being? Assisted suicide allows a patient to answer that question for themselves but only in five states. The legality of the assisted suicide is so rare because of the undermining of human dignity. The controversy has been going on for years and will continue to be on going.

On March 31, 2005 Terri Schiavo died by means of euthanasia. Terri Schiavo was a 26 year old woman living in Florida when she collapsed in her home and lost oxygen to her brain for several minutes placing her in a coma (Lynn). When she came out of her coma, she was still unconscious. Terri’s feeding tube was removed causing her to get a lack of foods and fluids. Some people say that giving her fluids and food only artificially prolonged her life and might have been causing her pain and suffering (“Euthanasia Expert”). But this only occurs when a human’s body is shutting down because their body can’t benefit from the fluids and foods (“Euthanasia Expert”). Terri’s husband Michael Schiavo used her disability to gain millions of dollars for what

In certain places such as of the U.S. it is legal to prescribe a lethal dosage of pentobarbital or secobarbital to allow those who are terminally ill to die with dignity. Patients are released from an endless painful death and put to rest with their dignity in their hands leaving them in some kind of control of their illness. The medical records behind assisted suicide show that

Possibly the most troubling is the profit­driven managed health­care. To assist a suicide, you need the

If the Death with Dignity Act were to be legalized in all states of America the laws would have to be clear and strict. In Oregon, 5 out of 6 people were denied the pill. If someone requested the pill there should be and extensive, not expensive, process to go through to qualify for the pill. A mental health test, counseling, a document proving that the patience wants to take the pill and a diagnosis showing that the patience is terminally ill should be

In Idaho it is illegal to ask for physician assistance to aid in ending one’s life. Assisted suicide is very controversial in today’s eyes. This law came into effect all the way back in 1828 first announced in New York. Today in Idaho it is banned, that took effect in 2011. This policy has been seen in two totally different aspects. Many believe that it is wrong to give up and quit life, but the other side believes that this gives someone a right chose. I believe this law should be passed in Idaho it will help save families money and not force people to suffer.

Assisted suicide is also called euthanasia this can only be used when there is no hope and the doctors have tryed everything. Assisted suicide is legal in the states listed above but there is requirments to qualify are: the person must be eightteen years or older, must be a resident of one of the states above for two years at the minimune. Diagnosis must be terminal and the apitent has six months

Assisted suicide should not be legalized anywhere, this creates more suicides among people who are NOT sick and leads to increased medical killings.

Now I have heard about assisted suicides before, I never thought they were real. I thought that it was just an idea that doctors have thought of, but never was able to legalize it. I researched this and found that it was very real. They have this law in several different states. Oregon, Vermont, California, and Washington; are the exact states that have these laws in place. In my opinion I believe this is a good idea. We put dogs down and out of their misery daily. We make sure they are comfortable, also that they don’t have to suffer anymore. We do this out of love and compassion. I have often thought to myself that this would be a very good idea for people as well. Hearing that this is very real makes me feel at ease. Now if only this choice was available in every state. If I had an incurable disease and knew that I was going to die a very painful death, having this as an option when I am out of them would be a peaceful feeling.