Do you think doctors who help their patients commit suicide should be punished?

Answer 1

This issue is complex and requires careful thought for response. The Hippocratic Oath "first, do no harm" ("primum non nocere"), would dictate that a physician would have the purest consideration for their patient in regards to their mental and physical health. This is not always true in practice, as we have read many reports of medical professionals expediting the demise of those who still had many good years ahead of them. Even if there was no direct intention of causing death, there are innumerous reports of basic neglect or shocking oversight or misjudgment. On the other hand, when a patient has been diagnosed with a terminal disease of which there is no cure and no hope for survival or respite from great pain, then in this context, a doctor would be fulfilling the Hippocratic requirement to "do no harm" by alleviating further suffering of his patient in assisting suicide.
An interesting thing about the word "die." It is something that one does. It is not something that happens to a person. One cannot get "died." Whether this happens for natural causes or by one's choice should not really matter. The only caveat is that it be done without malice, ulterior motive, or manipulation.

Answer 2

I think it depends on the case. There are time when I hear of the patient having no chance of living a quality life and they want to die - if that is the case then no the Dr should not be punished, but then I hear of cases when the person had a really good chance of recovery and died at the hands of the Dr with them stating they requested it. I would think in either case the Dr is somewhat tormented with the memory of the fact that someone died and they had a part in it. So with all that said I think it is a case by case decision if they are punished.

Answer 3

Hey...what makes u think that doctors help patients to commit suicide? A doctor tries his best to save his patient just as a lawyer would try to save his client. No doctor would help a patient in commiting suicide. Get this problem removed off ur head.

Answer 4

No. The law ought to have sufficient safeguards to ensure that it is indeed the will of a sane, non-coerced patient to die with the help of a doctor. The state of Oregon has such a law; it is unique in the US and has withstood several legal challenges.
It all comes down to the question of who owns an individual's life - the person in question, or the government?

Answer 5

We euthenize animals as a kindness. You would think we could do the same for our human loved ones. If intent of patient is clear I believe doctors should not be punished. It is the humane thing to

Answer 6

Yes, doctors are not saviors but they are trained and educated to help keep someone alive. In my opinion, suicide is not the best thing one way can do for himself. What the doctor just goes crazy one day and start killing he patients for no reason.

Answer 7

No, for a terminally ill patient who has nothing to look forward to but death, pain and more financial burden to the family.

I feel physician assisted suicide is logical and morally sound.

Answer 8

Dr. Convorken was sent to jail...it depends on the person if they want to die and want it to be painless and ask their doctor for help, it's really a cross-road which is best, but if there in horrible pain you have to also concider there request as well

Answer 9

i think if the patient has a terminal illness or something and has no hope of recovering and wants to be euthanized with the help of his doctor, then i don't see anything wrong with it.

Answer 10

the person /patient who wishes to end his life ....will be quite resolute/firm in his decision ...he will not budge from it...so why blame the doc for the hoopla??, euthenesia is practiced in certain countries for terminally ill patients who wud like to end their life...