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The case against physician assisted suicide
1Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
Community Mental Health Journal
|March 27, 1999
Summary
Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) sparks debate on professional identity and the doctor-patient relationship. This paper argues against PAS, asserting that a dignified death does not involve a physician-healer.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Sociology of Medicine
- Bioethics
Background:
- Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is a contentious issue.
- Debates involve professional identity, the doctor-patient relationship, and societal roles.
- Differing views on compassion, autonomy, and social needs fuel polarization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss ethical, social, and economic arguments against PAS.
- To provide a historical perspective on medical technology misuse.
- To assert that physician-healers should not facilitate death.
Main Methods:
- Ethical analysis
- Social argument review
- Economic argument review
- Historical perspective
Main Results:
- Ethical, social, and economic arguments against PAS are presented.
- Historical parallels with inappropriate medical technology use are drawn.
- The concept of a dignified death is explored.
Conclusions:
- A dignified death is not achieved through physician-assisted suicide.
- The role of the physician-healer is incompatible with facilitating death.
- Ethical considerations outweigh arguments for PAS based on compassion or autonomy.
Keywords:
Death and Euthanasia