Assisted Suicide by Carli Salvati

Overview Assisted Suicide… Someone helping an ill person to take their own life They can help this person by providing the means to commit the act Often times takes place between a physician or doctor and a patient Assisted suicide is a debatable topic and the laws concerning it differ around the world

Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia Commonly confused Euthanasia – the drug is administered by a physician Assisted Suicide – the drug is given to the patient by the doctor, but they do not take it with the doctor present

History 4th Century B.C. – The Hippocratic Oath States “I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan” Reports of assisted suicide date back to the late 1980’s 1989 – doctor Jack Kevorikan was convicted of practicing assisted suicide with over 45 patients 1994 – Oregon passed the “Death With Dignity Act” 1997 – Supreme Court ruled that if they cannot physically kill themselves they have no Constitutional right to end their lives

Laws Laws are different all over the world Most places assisted suicide as well as euthanasia are illegal Can result in a revocation of the physician’s medical license Examples: In Sweden there is no law against it, but the doctor can be charged with manslaughter In Norway assisted suicide is considered an “accessory to murder” Luxembourg – Suicide is legal, so assisted suicide is not illegal, however a doctor can be charged for “failing to assist someone in danger” United Kingdom – one can receive up to 14 years in prison for assisting suicide

Process Places where assisted suicide is legal such as Oregon and the Netherlands have specific processes to follow if the act takes place. The patient is given a lethal drug upon request. Usually barbiturates which can cost up to $1,000 per dose, and is not covered my insurance The doctor cannot administer the drug themselves (euthanasia) Common drugs that are given include Morphine Seconal (depressant)

United States Most states such as New York, Pennsylvania and Alabama it is illegal Considered homicide Certain states such as Massachusetts and Idaho have no laws against assisted suicide however, it is prohibited under the common law

Oregon Different from every other state in the U.S. One of the only places in the world that allows physician-assisted suicide “Death With Dignity Act” Requires an annual statistical report about the patients.

Death With Dignity Act Patient must be 18 years or older Oregon resident Must be suffering from a terminal disease that will end their life within six months Must make one written and two oral requests Fill out required forms and be confirmed as having the capacity to make decisions and be informed about the procedure This law does not “authorize a physician or any other person to end a patient’s life by lethal injection, mercy killing or active euthanasia” Prescription for medication to end their life There must be an annual report made which summarize everything that happened

Viewpoints - positive Many people feel that assisted suicide is a right Can help the terminally ill patient from experience prolonging pain Organs can be saved Patients can die with dignity Health care costs can be reduced Laws can be put in place that would allow no one to abuse the act Family’s pain may be reduced

Exit International Non profit organization that supports euthanasia and assisted suicide Founded by Dr. Philip Nitschke in 1997 Most memebers are about 75, healthy Believe in the personal rights to take their own life Public meetings to educate about laws and discuss and debate political rights Research different approaches to assisted suicide The Peaceful Pill Handbook

Viewpoints - negative Violates the Hippocratic Oath Goes against the views and values of many religions Doctors are given to much power, and begin to make unethical decisions Doctors and families may give up on recovery

Personal Opinion I fully support assisted suicide under appropriate conditions It allows an ill person to be taken out of their misery Less overcrowding in hospitals It should be monitored and there should be a specific process to insure that it is being carried out properly

Work cited http://www.assistedsuicide.org/suicide_laws.html (laws) http:// www.pages.drexel.edu/~cp28/euth1.htm (differences) http://www.exitinternational.net/page/AboutUs (Exit International) http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/316/7137/1037 (history) http://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1000570&term=assisted+suicide#i1000570_4 (laws) http://www.nndb.com/people/272/000023203/ (history) http://www.slate.com/id/2127629 (process) http://www.leg.state.vt.us/reports/05death/death_with_dignity_report.htm (Death With Dignity Act) http://www.balancedpolitics.org/assisted_suicide.htm (pros and cons)