Question

Is Physician Aid-in-Dying suicide? What are the ethical issues involved? How as a medical professional would you handle this situation?

Answer 1

If someone knew that they were going to die, they would most likely want to die peacefully and painlessly alongside their friends and family. Some people with terminal illnesses who have less than six months to live request physician aid-in-dying (PAD), in order to die when and where they want. Physician aid-in-dying has been legalized in Oregon (1994), Washington (2009), Vermont , California and is being disputed in Montana (Golden 14). People living in other states may not request PAD unless they establish residency in one of the aforementioned states. Everyone has a right to decide what they do with their own body. Similarly, people have the right to decide how to live their lives, make medical decisions, decide where to live, and choose what to do; accordingly, they should have the right to choose how they die. This view is consistent with a commitment to liberalism. PAD occurs when a physician prescribes a lethal drug to a terminally ill patient. Most states in which PAD is legal specify that only patients with less than six months to live may request PAD. The patient fills their prescription at a pharmacy, and is free to take the drug at any point thereafter. The prescribing physician does not need to be (and usually is not) present when their patient takes the drug, and subsequently dies. Death occurs as a direct result of ingesting the prescribed drug, usually within minutes. PAD is legal in 4 states in the United States, and is currently being disputed in Montana. The specific policies will be discussed later in the module.