luni, 18 mai 2015

Basic Information On Physician Aided Death

By Tammie Caldwell


A lot of people do not want to die, especially through suicide or murder. Assisted suicide is a controversial practice that is recognized as suicide committed with assistance from another person. If the person assisting in the death is a physician who provides patients with means or knowledge to kill themselves, it is referred to as physician aided death. Doctors who do this know the intent of the individual and still provide them with resources.

Physician-assisted suicide, also called PAS, may involve doctors offering counseling to patients on lethal dosage of drugs, as well as prescribing them and supplying them with these. Another euphemism that might be used in describing this act is assisted dying. The practice is not the same as mercy killing or euthanasia, which involves physicians administered death via lethal drug.

PAS is often done at the request and in consent with the patient. He or she is expected to self-administer what is necessary to commit the suicide. This is of interest to more people than one might expect. A lot of conversation revolves around this practice, which touches on a variety of issues, including ethics, morals, religion, society and law. After all, this is a practice related to murder and suicide.

Some people may wonder what drives people to this decision. Often times people requesting this have life-limiting sicknesses or chronic illnesses. They might have lost sight of hope in regaining control of their health situation and life. Plus, many feel physical pain and overall discomfort that cannot be remedied. Aided death might be a way that they feel they have some control again, being able to choose how they want to end their lives.

This act has been legalized in Columbia, Australia and Japan. Still, it is considered illegal in most other areas of the world and still remains a topic of controversy. People who are suffering might see this as the only option they have. In fact, they could welcome death because it seems like a preferred reality to the illness and pain they are experiencing. Sometimes loved ones are encouraging and respectful of this decision, but every situation is different.

Most patients in this situation seek a better quality of life that they feel as if they cannot achieve. They may be in a bad state of physical suffering, which is expected to reduce quality of life. Frustration may also be present if they know that there is nothing that doctors can do to make them better. Opponents also have their concerns, such as: medical ethics, risk to public safety, roles of physicians, religious ethics, prejudices against disabled persons and the slippery slope argument.

It can be helpful to do research on this topic, if interested. There are plenty of resources that offer info related to this topic. While many are against this procedure, some organizations have been set up in support of PAS.

Knowledge is key when it comes to discussing and forming an opinion about suicide. Many do not believe this is the right answer, but not all have been in the same shoes as people who have considered it. Suicide can be hard to understand and even more difficult to accept.




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