Details On Physician Aided Death

By Tammie Caldwell


While there are many people who do not want to die, especially at their own hand or that of another, assisted suicide is a topic that has long been discussed. It is defined as suicide that is committed with help of another individual. When the other person is a doctor, this is referred to as physician aided death. This occurs when doctors intentionally and knowingly provide an individual with the means or knowledge to kill themselves.

Physician-assisted suicide, or PAS, refers to doctors who give counsel on lethal dosage of drugs, prescribe these doses or supply them to their patients. Another term, or euphemism, used to describe this process is assisted dying. This practice should not be confused with the term euthanasia or mercy killing. In those cases, the physician administered the death through use of a lethal drug.

PAS is done with the request and consent of patients. These people administer what is necessary to cause the death. Some might be surprised at how many consider this option. The conversation about this topic involves a lot of different issues related to ethics, society, morals, law and religion. This is because it relates to murder and suicide, two acts that are frowned upon in most societies.

Some are curious as to why people would want this to be done. Many times, patients who request PAS have life-limiting or chronic sicknesses. They may have lose all hope in getting better and regaining control of their life. On top of this, they might feel a lot of physical pain and discomfort that cannot be relieved. Requesting an aided death may be their way of regaining some control over their life. That is, they can choose how they want to die.

This act has been legalized in Columbia, Australia and Japan. Still, it is considered illegal in most other areas of the world and still remains a topic of controversy. People who are suffering might see this as the only option they have. In fact, they could welcome death because it seems like a preferred reality to the illness and pain they are experiencing. Sometimes loved ones are encouraging and respectful of this decision, but every situation is different.

Most people that seek this action want to have a better quality of life, but feel as if this is not an available option. They might be in such bad shape that the their physical suffering as significantly reduced their happiness. Frustration is another emotion patients might experience, especially if they know that there is not much that can be done to remedy their condition or save their lives. Opponents have concerns as well, such as: prejudice against the disabled, slippery slope argument, religious and medical ethics, public safety risks, and the role of physicians.

People interested in learning more about this are encouraged to do research. There are numerous resources that provide information on this topic. Although there are many who are against this act, there are also organizations in support of PAS.

Knowledge about this process is fundamental to forming an opinion about it. Many feel this is not the answer, but they are not in the same position as the people who consider it. Suicide can be difficult to understand and accept.




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