Topic > The Pros and Cons of Doctor-Assisted Suicide

Introduction: There are two ways in which a doctor can assist a patient to commit suicide. One, physician-assisted suicide and two, euthanasia. Physician-assisted suicide occurs when a physician facilitates a patient's death by providing the means and/or information necessary to allow the patient to perform the terminal act of life (American Medical Association, “Physician-Assisted Suicide”). This means that the doctor can provide resources such as sleeping pills and information on lethal doses, aware of the patient's intention to commit suicide. On the other hand there is euthanasia. The word Euthanasia comes from a Greek word which translated means good or pleasant death (Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, "Euthanasia and assisted living). Every state should offer the option of physician-assisted suicide and not have this means of relief as something specific to only some regions This topic will not only enlighten the reader about something that tends to be overlooked, but will open the reader's mind to what terminally ill patients feel and experience. The patient's perspective will show readers what brings them to this end of life decision assisted suicide is not a fundamental freedom guaranteed to every person in every state, undocumented suicide rates increase, terminally ill patients will suffer from depression and will not find any meaning in their life which will lead them to commit suicide so horrible (Smith, “Euthanasia.” and assisted suicide” Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice published in 2002). The adoption of doctor-assisted suicide allows the family and friends of the loved one to be present at the moment of his or her death and not find her alone and dead in their homes. Most of the information in this document will be new to the public as most people have not done extensive research on the benefits. It is hoped that detailed research on the positive aspects of physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients will convince the reader. After reading extensive facts and information, the reader should have more