Aging

300 words – These are the questions here that need to be answed. The rest is just information to look at

Discuss physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in the United States. 

What position do you advocate?  Your response should include your specific rationale, and it should be clear that you understand the difference between the two.

Please read the information below for further clarification.

Please feel free to respectfully agree to disagree.

Historical Overview: How Americans Died in the Past

In the early 1900s the average life expectancy was 50 years

Childhood mortality was high

Those who became adults could expect to live well into their 60s

Few people lived to the ages that we regard as “normal” today

Until the development of antibiotics in the mid-20th century…

People typically died quickly, often from causes such as:

Infectious diseases and accidents

As only a few remedies were available to extend life, medicine focused on caring and comfort

While customs and traditions varied across cultures, most cared for their sick at home with support from their physician, if one was available

Medicine’s Shift in Focus: Impact on Death and Dying

Many authorities have suggested that we have become a “death denying” society—

Valuing….Productivity….Youth and Independence

Devaluing…..Age….Family….Interdependent caring for one another

As of 2007 the  U.S. life expectancy reached nearly 78 years (77.9), (CDC).

Over a decade, life expectancy has increased 1.4 years from 76.5 years in 1997 to 77.9 in 2007.

Physician-assisted suicide:

The physician provides the necessary means or information

The patient performs the act

In Euthanasia: The physician performs the intervention

Euthanasia is defined as “the act of bringing about the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way for reasons of mercy” (Back et al)

Arguments in favor of PAS

Respect for autonomy: Decisions about time and circumstances death are very personal. Competent person should have right to choose death.

Compassion: Suffering means more than pain; there are other physical and psychological burdens. It is not always possible to relieve suffering. Thus PAS may be a compassionate response to unbearable suffering.

Individual liberty vs. state interest:A complete prohibition on assisted death excessively limits personal liberty. Therefore PAS should be allowed in certain cases.

Arguments against PAS

Sanctity of life: This argument points out strong religious and secular traditions against taking human life. It is argued that assisted suicide is morally wrong because it contradicts these beliefs.

Potential for abuse: Assisted death may become a cost-containment strategy. Burdened family members and health care providers may encourage option of assisted death

Fallibility of the profession: The concern raised here is that physicians will make mistakes.

Oregon (since l997, physician-assisted suicide only); Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act was approved by voters in 1994 but blocked for three years by critics who challenged its constitutionality in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Pas came under attack by U.S.  Attorney General Ashcroft, who threatened to revoke the licenses of doctors who assisted suicides.  The law was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in January 2006.

The patient must have been declared terminally ill by two physicians

 Must have requested lethal drugs three times, including in writing.

Washington State 2008

A state measure known as  Initiative 1000 passed by a margin of 59% to 41%, making it legal for doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication for patients with less than six months to live.

Patients must make two separate requests, orally and in writing, more than two weeks apart;

must be of sound mind and not suffering from depression;

and must have their request approved by two separate doctors.

Doctors are not allowed to administer the lethal dose.

Netherlands (voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide lawful since April 2002 but permitted by the courts since l984).  IF:

the patient is in intolerable pain (including emotional pain),

the patient has repeatedly and lucidly asked to die,

two doctors agree on the procedure, 

relatives are consulted, and

the death is reported.

Switzerland (1941, physician and non-physician assisted suicide only);

Belgium legalized euthanasia in 2002, but the laws seem to encompass assisted suicide as well.

Two doctors must be involved, as well as a psychologist if the patient’s competency is in doubt. The doctor and patient negotiate whether death is to be by lethal injection or prescribed overdose.

Finland has nothing in its criminal code about assisted suicide.  Mostly it takes place among friends, who act discreetly.

Germany has had no penalty for either suicide or assisted suicide since 1751

France does not have a specific law banning assisted suicide, but such a case could be prosecuted under 223-6 of the Penal Code for failure to assist a person in danger 

Luxembourg does not forbid assistance in suicide because suicide itself is not a crime

In England and Wales there is a possibility of up to 14 years imprisonment for anybody assisting a suicide.

 Assisted suicide is a crime in the Republic of Ireland

Russia, too, has no tolerance of any form of assisted suicide, nor did it during the 60-year Soviet rule