Physician Assisted Suicide Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Physician Assisted Suicide?

Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is a controversial topic in the medical world today. This practice involves a physician providing a patient with the necessary means and/or knowledge to take their own life in order to relieve their suffering from a terminal illness. The debate surrounding PAS centers around whether it should be considered an ethical medical practice or if it goes against the Hippocratic Oath, which has been sworn by doctors for thousands of years.For those in favor of PAS, they argue that patients have the right to self-determination and autonomy, meaning they have the right to choose when and how they die. They also point out that many terminally ill patients suffer greatly and for extended periods of time despite various treatments and medications, so allowing them to end their suffering is seen as an act of mercy. Furthermore, proponents emphasize that PAS is only made available after careful evaluation by medical professionals who are aware of all treatment options available; therefore, it gives people who are already facing death an extra layer of control over how they pass away. On the other hand, those opposed to PAS maintain that physicians should always strive to save lives rather than give up on them prematurely. They believe this violates both professional ethics and existing laws which forbid taking someone’s life intentionally or indirectly through negligence or omission. Additionally, opponents worry about potential risks associated with this practice such as vulnerable people being coerced into making decisions about ending their lives before fully exploring every option available for treatment or caregiving support. Ultimately, this issue forces us consider our own beliefs about death and mortality while respecting individual autonomy at the same time; however difficult it may be for us as individuals or society as a whole to accept it – some may find comfort in knowing there is an option available for relieving unbearable suffering at end-of-life when all other treatments fail.