Physician Assisted

Reference Death
Sheet All the details and
Boudreau, J Donald. “Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: Can
You Even Imagine Teaching Medical Students How
to End Their Patients' Lives?” The Permanente Journal, The
Permanente Journal,
information about
2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3267569
/ (Links to an external site.) physician assisted death
“Historical Timeline - Euthanasia - ProCon.Org.” Should euthanasia
or physician-Assisted suicide be legal?,
euthanasia.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000
022.
“Home.” Death With Dignity, www.deathwithdignity.org/ (Links to an
external site.)Links to an external site..

Proquest, Physician-Assisted suicide quietly gains ground, 9 July 2009,

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“Support of legality for doctor aid in ending a

terminally ill life by prescribing life-Ending
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Stephanie Harms

What is it?
There is heavy controversy around the idea of a
doctor helping a patient end his or her life. Even
though the practice is becoming more common
there remains to be a lot of conflict around the
issue. However, there are many pro’s and cons to
the idea. Including that of moral and religious
viewpoints, the government involvement, the idea
that the practice would affect jobs of others, and the
slippery slope to legalized murder. Currently there
are few states that accept this practice with more
following suit.
The History
The first known physician assisted deaths were
documented back to the days of the Romans around
500 BCA to the 16 century. Many pagan physicians
likely performed many “mercy killings” and
abortions. The idea that it has been taboo and bad
has been the large idea until recently seven states
currently allow it. With more progressing towards it.
How do they do it?
The Good
Presently the medication given to those in the few
states that allow the right to die is typically 9 grams of  The patient who is suffering from a
secobarbital followed by 10 grams of pentobarbital in terminal illness can choose to die and no
liquid form. These medications are typically used to longer be in pain
help those who have insomnia by coaxing those to  The patient and the family would save
fall asleep. However, in these large doses it affects the money from not having to do the
lungs and respiratory drive so the patient falls asleep expensive procedures. Or hospice.
and then never wakes up again. They prefer this way  Patient has more options
because it is a more peaceful way to pass. No pain
and suffering.
Summary
The bad The idea that physician assisted death can lead
to murder is very open ended. Is it murder or
 Killing another person is morally wrong. is it humane?
 Religious groups believe those who choose In summary there has been much history of
to kill themselves will suffer in purgatory the practice of euthanasia. There is pros and
cons to the never-ending argument on
 Insurance companies could choose to end
physician assisted suicide. Including money,
the life of a patient and not offer treatment.
morals, and feelings.
 Those who choose to do health care work
came to heal patients but euthanasia is
telling them to do the opposite.
 Assisted death isn’t economically appealing.
Hospitals won’t make as much on death.
Hospice centers become obsolete.
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