Key Information Related To Physician Aided Death

By Ruthie Calderon


Most people do not want to die. They do not want to be killed by others or to kill themselves. Assisted suicide is a controversial topic that is discussed in many areas of the world. This term is used to describe suicide committed with help from another, typically a physician. Another name for it is physician aided death and this is done with the doctors knowingly and intentionally providing patients with the knowledge or means they need to commit suicide.

This kind of aid might come in varying forms. Typically it involves the doctors given patient counsel about dosages of drugs that are lethal. They may go beyond this by prescribing this dosage or supply to the individual. This type of assistance in death is not the same as euthanasia or mercy killings. A key difference is that these involve physicians administering the lethal dosage to patients.

This is something that patients request and then agree to. Typically they are the ones to administer the lethal activity. A lot of people choose this option. The topic itself brings up things like law, morals, society, ethics and religion. After all, this essentially involves suicide and murder.

It may be difficult for some people to understand why a person would want to die this way. Often times, the people who request these services have chronic or life-limiting illnesses. They might have no more hope that they will get better and want to take control over their lives again. Additionally, they may feel a lot of discomfort and physical pain that cannot be fixed through the methods available in modern medicine. Requesting an aided death might be their only solution for regaining control. That is, they want to have control over how and when their life ends.

This is considered legal in some areas of the world, such as Australia, Columbia and Japan. However, in many more places it is illegal and controversial. People suffering and in pain might see this as their one and only option. Sometimes they even welcome the death, regardless of what their loved ones might think or want.

People in these situations often want a better life, but do not see it happening. They are discouraged and often dealing with major pain and suffering. It can be frustrating to feel as if they have no options for care, and that they will not life a happier or longer life. In fact, the life expectancy for many of these people is short and they would rather not wait in pain to die.

Opponents have their reasons. Most make mention of medical ethics, public safety, prejudices against the disabled, religious ethics, roles of medical physicians, and the slippery slope argument. People should learn more about this through research. Many resources offer details on the topic, including the arguments of proponents and opponents. Stories of people who have done this or made the decision to do it can also be educational.

Knowledge is key when it comes to forming an opinion on this. Many do not agree with this, but many do. Those who disagree may not know what it feels like to have the mental and physical struggle that people who make this decision have. They are often chronically and terminally ill, and feel hopeless. Suicide, in any form, may be difficult for people to accept.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment