Assisted Suicide

There are some people who believe that assisted suicide is merely another decision that a human being should be able to make about their own life. It is peaceful and easy to prepare for. When a person chooses to die it is most likely because they are terminally ill. Meaning, they have a disease that will only allow them to live for a limited amount of time. Some elderly people want to have the option of assisted suicide also. Sometimes, they grow old and their bodies cannot function the way that they used to. This is depressing and discouraging to an older person. They cannot see living the rest of their lives not being able to walk or hear or see. This is especially discouraging if this person does not have close family to help them through the hard times. When a person chooses physician assisted suicide though, there is a question of if the person will be able to swallow the pills given to them. If they are terminally ill, they are not very strong and their bodies cannot function normally. Some people would like the option of euthanasia. Definition to use in your term paper: Euthanasia is a lethal injection that is shot into a person causing them to go to sleep and never wake again. Euthanasia is illegal for suicidal purposes in the United States but some people do not believe that it should be. If a person truly believes that ending their life is the answer to all of their pain and suffering, then they will find a way to do it whether it is legal or not.

Those who are opposed to assisted suicide acquire their views through religious and moral values. They argue that the people who seek suicide are really just crying out for help. Those who are terminally ill naturally feel depressed and cannot make sensible decisions for themselves. Many people believe that a chronically depressed person can be treated through other medications and the same goes for their pain. There are arguments though, that claim a doctor may prescribe a lethal dose of medication instead of letting the patient continue normal treatment. In such a case, this would be considered murder and not suicide. This takes away the patients right to choose. Besides, you do not solve problems by simply getting rid of them. There will be more patients with the same disease that come along. Many of the individuals who are against PAS believe so because of their religion. The Ten Commandments state, "Thou shalt not kill." Although the doctor is not actively taking part in the task, he or she is still accountable for what happens after they have issued the technique in which the suicide will be completed. The doctor has knowledge of the intention of the medicine being prescribed. Our custom essay writers may also mention Dr. Jack Kevorkian who is the most famous of the assisted suicide doctors. He has been helping people die for decades. Dr. Kevorkian uses unconventional methods though. Instead of the patient administering the method of death, Dr. Kevorkian sets up a scenario where the person or people die in a house or in a car due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Some people who have never even met before would die together in a room at Dr. Kevorkian's makeshift office. After the person is dead, Dr. Kevorkian then takes the body to the hospital to be taken care of. There have been many different legal cases against Dr. Kevorkian but he has never been convicted. The technique that Dr. Kevorkian uses makes death scary and devalues life. If a person chooses to die, then it should be with respect and dignity that will show the kind of life that they led. Not in the back of a car or in a house with people that they do not know. Family members that support the decision should have a chance to say good-bye.