refer to introduction and summary below. Refer to pictures for the essay question.

Introduction

Physician-assisted suicide is defined by the American Medical Association as when a physician assist with a patients death by providing the necessary means and/or information to enable the patient to perform the life-ending act. (AMA Principles of Medical Ethics) A survey conducted in 2014 on 21,000 physicians, both European and American, showed that 54% of physicians agree with physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia while another 15% voted “it depends”. (Vaughn, 652) Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia is a debate on moral responsibility, although some disagree and believe it is unethical no matter who performs the final act, the patient or physician. Doctors and nurses have a duty to “preserve life” and “relieve suffering”, which brings in the ethical concerns with ending a patient’s life, respecting patient autonomy to refuse treatment or remove life supporting treatment. “They understand the need to respect patient autonomy, the right of self-determination- but what should they do when the patient freely chooses to forgo all their best efforts and to embrace extinction? Or if the terminal patient, inching in agony toward destruction, asks them to cut short her torment by killing her with a lethal injection? Or if she begs only for some help in dying by her own hand?” (Vaughn, 648) All four principles of ethics are involved in physician assisted suicide, making very good arguments for physicians from all different views. Brittany Maynard, a 29 year old woman from California, received a terminal diagnosis of her brain tumor in early 2014. This was a woman who graduated from university with a masters in education, had just gotten married, and was just starting to try for a family with her husband. Life was just getting started for her. Shortly after receiving her diagnosis she quickly started declining and decided to relocate to Oregon where she can legally die. Slowly more states are following into Oregon’s foot steps and legalizing physician assisted suicide.

Summary

Brittany Maynard, along with many other individuals across the globe, have been able to fulfill their dying wishes and end their battles against their terminal illnesses. Physician assisted suicide has become an ethical concern that does not concern most of the people voicing their opinions. Patient autonomy is a matter physicians must respect, even if it is to end their lives. With currently nine states in the U.S including Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Montana, and California, physician-assisted suicide is becoming more popular and accepted by more individuals. This gives patients an opportunity to end their suffering before it gets worse. “I’ve discussed with many experts how I would die from it and it’s a terrible, terrible way to die. So being able to choose to go with dignity is less terrifying.” Brittany Maynard stated in an interview with People. Being able to end a patients life before their illness completely takes over and ruins their quality of life is a right and decision a patient should be allowed to make. No other should dictate that decision.