Did you know that physician-assisted suicide is a worldwide issue? Well, neither did I until I researched it for a school project.  It’s only legal in a few countries, the USA not included. However, 11 states and DC have legalized it, with extremely strict laws around it. Assisted suicide should be legal everywhere in the USA, have the same laws around it, and be open to all ages.

 Physician-assisted suicide has ended the suffering of many ill people. According to Issues & Controversies, “Supporters of the so-called right-to-die… movement argue that people suffering from terminal, incurable, or extremely painful diseases should legally be able to ask their doctors to provide them relief through… an option they claim is a more humane alternative…” (Issues & Controversies). This excerpt explains how people should be allowed to request for a physician’s aid in dying if they are truly suffering. Kim Bellware from The Washington Post, discussed how someone who has been on both sides of this issue thinks it should be handled by writing, “As a health-care provider for the elderly and as someone who now is disabled with rapidly progressing ALS, Boal has been on both sides of the issue and is now a proponent of legalization.” (Bellware).

 Many people, minors included, suffer from painful, incurable, and terminal diseases. The American Bar Association stated, “To request a prescription for lethal medications, it requires that patients be at least 18 years old, capable of making and communicating health care decisions, and diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months.” (Lambert). This shows that the current laws supporting physician-assisted death are only in place for those of 18 years of age or older. Dr. Felipe E Vizcarrondo MD, a pediatrics cardiologist, stated “After surveying a number of pediatricians at teaching centers in 2016, the Dutch Pediatric Association (NVK) considered the possibility of legalizing euthanasia for 1-12 year old children, the only remaining age group not included in the euthanasia law.” (Vizcarrondo). This quote shows that in other countries, physician-assisted suicide has been legalized in minors.

Although some say that physician assisted suicide should not be legalized because it is unethical or “not God’s intention”, the final say should be given to the doctor and their patient on what they want and not on what is believed to be morally correct or “God’s intention”. The quote, “He refused to sign it. He looked at it and said ‘well, I’m Catholic and also I believe that the first duty of a doctor is to heal, not to harm. So I can’t sign this in good conscience.’ And he threw it back.” explains how the Catholic believe that a doctor’s duty is to heal and not harm, but maybe, just maybe, physician-assisted suicide is healing people, and not harming (EWTN). 

 All the laws on physician-assisted suicide should be the same across the US. According to Joanne Lynn, “Laws on physician-assisted death, as well as access to hospice, require a patient to be terminally ill, as defined by having 6 months or less to live. …explained that the 6-month criterion is not based on empirical evidence and arose in a relatively haphazard manner…” This quote shows that the current laws aren’t completely accurate, as doctors can’t accurately predict how long patients have to live. According to deathwithdignity.org when answering the question What options do I have if my state does not allow physical aid in dying? said, 

“You can voluntarily stop eating and drinking, stop treatment or not start treatment at all… right to refuse medical therapies, or use palliative sedation. …can take anywhere from several days to several weeks to result in death. Stopping treatment or medication may lead to unanticipated effects or pain. …can also be addressed by hospice or your palliative care providers.” 

This shows that even in the event patients are denied medical aid in dying, they have other ways to die with their dignity.

With all the evidence stated above, assisted suicide should be legalized in the US. Making the same laws over assisted suicide across the US and legalizing this practice across all ages would benefit the families of many. Please sign this petition to help end the suffering of many people.