According to Derek Humphry, the author of “Definitions of Euthanasia,” physician-assisted suicide is when a, “Medical doctor helping patient to die by prescribing a lethal overdose.” Although there are many guidelines that have to be followed for a patient to be considered for physician-assisted suicide, it still should not be legal. Kayla Asbury argues in her article “The Right to Die: Benefits of Physician-Assisted Suicide” that, “dying with dignity is a right everyone should be afforded.” However, many people argue that physician-assisted suicide is not moral and should not be preformed under any circumstance.
In Asbury’s article she time and time again explains why she believes physician-assisted suicide should be legal. Asbury’s main argument …show more content…
In the United States euthanasia is considered illegal. There are two types of euthanasia, voluntary and involuntary. Derek Humphry defines voluntary euthanasia as, “Death by lethal injection by doctor when requested by patient,”(Definitions of Euthanasia). Humphry then defines involuntary euthanasia as, “Using powerful drugs, doctor ends life of suffering, dying patient who is comatose,” (Definitions of Euthanasia). In Asbury’s article she argues, “the ability to be in control of your own mind and body is an essential human right terminally ill people are often not granted,”(The Right to Die). What about quadriplegics? People who are a quadriplegic are not in control of their own bodies but cannot participate in physician-assisted suicide because they would not be able to take the medication themselves. If a quadriplegic cannot put the medication in their own mouth then they would need someone to help them, which would then result in …show more content…
Asbury revolves her article around the fact that many terminally ill patients should be able to participate in physician-assisted suicide because it is, “a way out of needless pain and suffering,” (The Right to Die). However, the number one reason most people participate in physician-assisted suicide is “feeling weak, tired, and uncomfortable,” according to Robert Pearlman and Helene Starks (Why Do Patients Request). Feeling weak, tired or uncomfortable is in no way as severe as pain and suffering. It turns out that pain is actually the seventh overall reason why people participate in physician-assisted suicide. If Asbury were truly concerned with physician-assisted suicide she would be arguing for patients who feel weak, tired, and uncomfortable rather than patients who are suffering from