Question

The American College of Physicians said in 2005 that it was “concerned with the risks that legaliza- tion [of physician-assisted suicide] posed to vulner- able populations, including poor persons, patients with dementia, disabled persons, those from mi- nority groups that have experienced discrimina- tion, those confronting costly chronic illnesses, or very young children.” . . . Battin’s team analyzed data on assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia in the Netherlands during 1985–2005—data taken from four govern- ment studies and several smaller ones. They analyzed Oregon Department of Human Services annual reports for 1998–2006, and surveys of physicians and hospice professionals. The findings fell into three categories, based on the strength of the data. The researchers found:

• Direct evidence that elderly people, women, and uninsured people do not die in dispro- portionate numbers where physician-assisted death is legal, but AIDS patients do. (The insurance data is from Oregon only; everyone is insured in the Netherlands.)

• Evidence that is partly direct and partly inferred showing that physician-assisted death does not kill disproportionate numbers of people who are poor, uneducated, racial and ethnic minorities, minors, or people with chronic physical or mental disabilities or chronic but not terminal illnesses.

• Evidence that is based on inference or that is partly contested showing that people with psychiatric illness—including depression and Alzheimer’s disease—are not likely to die in lopsided numbers.

“Those who received physician-assisted dying . . . appeared to enjoy comparative social, economic, educational, professional and other privileges,” the researchers write. The researchers noted that in both Oregon and the Netherlands, people who received a doctor’s help in dying averaged 70 years old, and 80 percent were cancer patients.*

QUESTION:

Suppose the data of this study are accurate. Would they show that all slippery-slope arguments against physician-assisted suicide are unsuccessful? Suppose the study proved that legalization did harm vulner- able populations. Would that finding support the conclusion that physician-assisted suicide should not be legalized under any circumstances? What might someone who is opposed to legalization say about this study? Or someone who favors legalization? How does the news of this study affect your own views on legalization? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 1

LEGALIZATION ( PHYSICIAN- ASSISTED SUICIDE) :

As the above study describes different views and opinions on physician- assisted suicide i.e; Legalization. Physicians are having a major responsibility in saving the life of a person, without thinking of their background, social status, minorities, caste, healthy, unhealthy, rich, poor and so on. Doctors are worshiped after God because they are having such importance in curing of diseases.

DYING is a natural process where every human undergo at certain stage of life. Physician assisted suicide is not a order or demand by the physician, it can be done only when the patient is willing to die by their own.

REASONS WHY PATIENTS ALLOW PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE:-

* Relieve from pain

* Not having desire to live anymore

* Reduce family burden

* Decrease family financial crisis

* Want a peaceful death without any distress

* Let their loved ones be free from his/ her suffering

* Thinking about children difficulties, etc....

In most of the cases legalization is not approved by government and other population groups. It is not a regular and usual practice where a physician will perform his duty without shaking his hands. It needs a lot of courage and acceptance both from the patient and family members to undergo such an incident. 90% of the studies and people wont accept this legalization practice. Unless a strong force from the patient side and family members physician cant proceed further. Legalization is not a matter of dying but it is fully filled with emotional in builds with patient.

CONDITIONS WHERE PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE IS RECOMMENDED :-

1. Final stage of cancer

2. Cardiac failure

3. Suicidal stages

4. Older age people above 90 years

5. Uncontrolled bleeding

6. Severe multiple fractures

7. Lung collapse

8. 90% burns, etc...

Physician- assisted suicide will not depend on particular age groups, but according ti the situation physician has to take that decision for the wellness of family and patient. Though some governmental organizations approve for this practices, but some wont give permissions for that even if the patient is insurance.