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Pros And Cons Of Physician Assisted Suicide

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Ethical Arguments of Physician Assisted Suicide
With mounting increase of decriminalization, the ethics of physician assisted suicide (PAS) continues to be debated throughout the media, courtrooms and health care settings11. This debate is rooted in bioethics, as it examines values and moral issues in healthcare, health policy and medical research12. The arguments for and against PAS are founded in these values and morals of our healthcare system and health policy.
Key arguments for supporters of PAS focus on two values: autonomy (self-determination) and individual well-being. That is, as individuals we have the right to make decisions not only on how we live, but how and when to end our life. Additionally, PAS supports the principle of beneficence, …show more content…
Autonomy gives individuals the right to make important decisions about their lives and how they live, “according to their own values or conceptions of a good life”13. Autonomy not only applies to decisions about how we live but also to decisions about “bodily integrity”. This entails that individuals have the right to decide what is done to their body; including which treatments they will accept and which treatments they will refuse14. For instance, patients in palliative care may experience forms of pain and suffering that “palliative care services are not sufficient to ameliorate and/or reflective of patient wishes”15. In these cases, PAS is another option that could better suit their wishes and values. In addition, permitting PAS would respect the autonomy of the small group of patients who want it, along with a larger group of individuals who support PAS, but may never want or receive it. In the latter case, PAS would be a reassurance for many that if they ever requested PAS, they would be able to obtain it …show more content…
Euthanasia differs from PAS, as without the request (non-voluntary) or against the request (involuntary) of an individual, an intentional act is performed “that is explicitly intended to end another person’s life”1. Vulnerable groups include “the elderly, the disabled, and incompetent”, who do not or cannot provide consent to PAS14. These vulnerable groups may become pressured or forced into euthanasia, as it is a financially cheaper alternative to long-term care and treatment and less of a burden on family members. Those against PAS argue that as a result, the commitment and concern for patients’ care and treatment will decrease in our health care system13. Strict safeguards and protocols must be put into place to protect those vulnerable groups15. However, opponents don’t regard this as a sufficient means to prevent PAS from taking place. There is a concern that PAS will “likely have a low enforcement priority in the criminal justice

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