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 consent and request of patients. These individuals will self-administer what is needed to cause the death. This is an interest for a lot of people. The conversation associated with this touches on a number of issues related to law, religion, morals, society and ethics. This practice, after all, involves a form of suicide and murder.
Some people may wonder what drives people to this decision. Often times people requesting this have life-limiting sicknesses or chronic illnesses. They might have lost sight of hope in regaining control of their health situation and life. Plus, many feel physical pain and overall discomfort that cannot be remedied. Aided death might be a way that they feel they have some control again, being able to choose how they want to end their lives.
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 patients in this situation seek a better quality of life that they feel as if they cannot achieve. They may be in a bad state of physical suffering, which is expected to reduce quality of life. Frustration may also be present if they know that there is nothing that doctors can do to make them better. Opponents also have their concerns, such as: medical ethics, risk to public safety, roles of physicians, religious ethics, prejudices against disabled persons and the slippery slope argument.
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.
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 consent and request of patients. These individuals will self-administer what is needed to cause the death. This is an interest for a lot of people. The conversation associated with this touches on a number of issues related to law, religion, morals, society and ethics. This practice, after all, involves a form of suicide and murder.
Some people may wonder what drives people to this decision. Often times people requesting this have life-limiting sicknesses or chronic illnesses. They might have lost sight of hope in regaining control of their health situation and life. Plus, many feel physical pain and overall discomfort that cannot be remedied. Aided death might be a way that they feel they have some control again, being able to choose how they want to end their lives.
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 patients in this situation seek a better quality of life that they feel as if they cannot achieve. They may be in a bad state of physical suffering, which is expected to reduce quality of life. Frustration may also be present if they know that there is nothing that doctors can do to make them better. Opponents also have their concerns, such as: medical ethics, risk to public safety, roles of physicians, religious ethics, prejudices against disabled persons and the slippery slope argument.
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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