Death
Physician-assisted suicide presents one of the greatest dilemmas to the medical profession. Should someone who is mentally competent, but deemed terminally ill, be allowed to engage in physician-assisted suicide? According to the First Amendment of The Constitution of The United States, "one has the freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances." The Fourteenth Amendment states, "The State cannot deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The group believes that a terminally ill patient has the Constitutional right to decide whether or not to end his or her life with the help of a licensed medical doctor. There have been many cases over the years where a terminally ill patient who is mentally competent has made the choice to either partake in physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. "Physician-assisted suicide occurs when the physician provides the patient with the means and/or knowledge to commit suicide"(Death and Dying,91). "Euthanasia is when the physician administers the deat
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act allows terminally ill adults who are mentally competent to ask for a prescription for medication "for the purpose of ending his or her life in a humane and dignified manner"(http://www. New York Book Publishing, New york City; 1987. Hall, who has been deemed mentally competent, contracted the virus in 1981 through a blood transfusion. "Nancy Beth Cruzan died twelve days later"(Death and Dying,26). However, is living with complications from a terminal illness, so severe that one is unable to function independently, life? The government says that it is. On January 31, 1997, a Judge ruled that Charles Hall could take his own life with the aid of a doctor. Liberty is freedom, but is having complications which do not allow one to be free and independent, freedom? The government says once again that it is. Our democracy was created because of those brave souls who fought for their rights, and we should follow in their footsteps. Bibliography "Right to Die" Holmes, John.
Common topics in this essay:
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Charles Hall,
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Acceptance Essays
