Pros And Cons Of Physician Assisted Suicide

Many people argue that physician-assisted suicide is unethical and suggests that the human life is not valuable; however, this is untrue. Physician-assisted suicide allows a suffering individual to feel a sense of dignity and power, even in his or her last moments in life. What is more valuable than that? While the situation might be unethical in the case that the patient had no say in his or her own planned death, physician-assisted suicide requires that the patient be fully aware of what they are choosing to do. There is nothing unethical about a fully competent individual choosing to end his or her life in a peaceful manner, rather than in agony. As an alternative to physician-assisted suicide, some physicians encourage patients to believe that refusing to eat or drink would be a better way to die. This method of suicide takes many days and causes the patient even more suffering than what he or she already has to endure. The symptoms of dehydration …show more content…
Not all terminally ill patients will choose this option, but it should be available for those who want it. Coping with the diagnosis of a terminal illness is difficult for both the patient and the patient’s loved ones and it only becomes more difficult as the disease progresses. Being given the ability to decide when to die allows the patient to feel a sense of dignity and control during a time when he or she may not have control over anything else in life. Not only does physician-assisted suicide provide a sense of relief to the patient, it provides relief to family and friends. Watching a loved one die is one of the most challenging things to endure in life. It only becomes more challenging when forced to watch a loved one die a slow and painful death. Physician-assisted suicide can provide closure to everyone involved in a situation dealing with a terminal illness; therefore, it must become legal in all fifty