Why should Physician Assisted Suicide be legal/allowed?

Question

I am writing a debate and I need evidence to back up why Physicia Assisted Suicide should be allowed. I do not want opinions, just reasons why it should be allowed, Thanks!

Sources would be GREATLY appreciated!

Strongest claims and sources gets 10 points.

Answer 1

check this site out. it is a term paper that was written on that subject.

Answer 2

I agree and disagree with the first answer. I agree that I would want to be OD'd if I was terminally ill, severly burnt (like the people who will never live outside a burn ward, have no skin etc) and for other reasons like this. I think just a coma is different, in the Shiavo case it seemed like even if she came out, she wouldnt be normal but others do, I know a couple actually (months in coma, not years) but I also have a neighbor who is dying, everything is shutting down and now the intestines are leaking internally, she will be dead within days, why not allow the doctor to give a super dose of morphine that will put her out of her misery???

I do think there are cases where it just shouldnt be allowed though

BTW- dirty republican here

Answer 3

there are groups you can check out that have done a lot of work on this matter - under the presumption that a human being has a right to decide when and how they die. if someone is suffering and is going to continue to suffer from a chronic disease or illness, many people feel that it is compassionate and should be legally allowed for a person to choose to die in a safe, and sanctioned way with the help of a physician.

there are lawsuits and such that you can look into for your debate. you mentioned not wanting OPINIONS - but right now, that's pretty much what there is. similar to reproductive rights, the right to put substances in one's own body, etc. the ethics of the situation are highly susceptible to debate - and the reason you're debating this is because the jury, so to speak, is still out on this. it's an emotional hot-button, for sure.

when arguing FOR the right to make a choice as to whether to live or die in a state of suffering, prolonging a death - consider the fact of how essential it is for us as Americans to have the freedom to choose for ourselves, the right to life, liberty and happiness. of course people should have a legal right to end their lives under the circumstances that are so severe and make life not even worth living anymore for some folks.

Answer 4

Costs! It's very costly to keep someone alive when they aren't living a life at all. Think of all the doctors, medicines, equipment, etc. I sound like Scrooge, sure, but you asked for facts.

They're taking up machinery! There are people out there that could live that one month for a lung transplant that need that breathing machine to stay alive. No use in letting someone that isn't living a good life at all (vegetable, constantly racked with pain, terminal illness) have to use the equipment.

I know, I sound cruel and heartless. Facts are cruel and heartless.

Answer 5

1. Safer for patient.
2. More dignified for patient and family.
3. Helps prevent financial hardship on family.
4. Stops suffering.
5. Patients choice, and everyone should have the right to choose if they want to live or die.
6. Helps preserve medical supplies,hospital rooms, and other resources for those that CAN and want to be saved.


I took care of my mother when she became terminal. She said the that the HARDEST part of dying wasn't knowing you were going to die, BUT the waiting to die. She never considered suicide by any means, but if she had,,I would of done everything in my power to help her. It was hell for her, and not much better for the rest of us. No one should be made to live once that it is positive that there is ZERO hope.

Answer 6

PAS is strongly related with euthanasia. So wherever euthanasia is legal, PAS should be too, and vice versa. You can't back up why PAS should be allowed if the previous issue (about euthanasia, legal or not) hasn't been debated first.

As far as I know the most common debated issue is not whether it's legal or not, but whether it's ethical or unethical.

Answer 7

Only a coward can not choose the time and place where they are going to die.

Sometimes, the pain is unbearable and the only way out is to take your last few days in a coma with tubes sticking out of you... there is no dignity of a death like that.

Answer 8

the muse of the hippocratic oath is do no harm - or the sought after version isn't play at God. i think of each man or woman has the excellent to be freed from concern, soreness, and loneliness. i think of you have a great to come to a decision on your individual ideals. i think of people who elect suicide are the two no longer firmly on top of issues of their psychological colleges or suffering - the two one in all that would desire to have steps taken as we talk to end the subject yet no longer by utilising killing them. i won't help an intentional 0.33 occasion ending to someones lifestyles. it extremely is how I define the be conscious homicide. If i'm fired as a pharmacist for no longer issuing the morning after pill am I additionally fired as a scientific expert for no longer killing you?

Answer 9

Quite frankly, it's CHEAP. We spend millions a year caring for the terminally ill, prolonging their suffering and racking up HUGE bills that no one can (or ever will) pay. Let them die with dignity and FAR LESS DEBT. The cost to pay for someone who is terminally ill can be more than $20,000 A DAY. The cost of euthanasia? $250 to $350. Yup, big difference there.

Answer 10

Instead of living in misery. Like Teri Schiavo, she was a vegetable. If I was a vegetable I would like my life to end.

Answer 11

The answer is yes, and the reason is because it is your life, and you can choose to end or continue living yours. Very simple.