In today's medical society, physician assisted death is a very controversial topic. This petition is aimed to inform readers about the dilemma that faces the medical community regarding this topic. There are several factors that influence whether or not a physician decides that euthanasia is appropriate for patients asking for this option to end their lives.

One predicament is created by the interpretations of the Hippocratic Oath which prohibits the ease at which physicians can use assisted death. According to UCLA Med, the Hippocratic Oath was, “Written in the 5th century BC, the Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest documents in history. While the creators intended it to be a binding covenant, modern doctors see the oath as a promise to uphold the art of medicine and act on patients' interests.” Today's new graduating physicians recite some variation of the oath during graduation, but the core values of the oath still hold true today. All versions promise to act in the best interest of the patient and protect patient privacy. The question is; are the decisions by the physicians to use or not use euthanasia being made on the grounds of medicine, what the patient wants, and what is humane, or based on personal ethics and beliefs of the physician? 

 Additionally, assisted death was ruled by the Supreme Court to be a state issue.  Therefore, the states individually get to decide if it is a constitutional right of a patient to end their own life with the assistance of a physician. Physicians are bound by law regardless of their personal or ethical views.  So, in this case are the state representatives interpreting laws in a way that looks out for the best interest of patients or are they guided by their own personal views and ethics? 

 The states that allow physician assisted death include Maine, Colorado, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington.  These states have stipulations on which a patient has to qualify such as: 1. Being an adult resident. 2. Capable of making and communicating your own healthcare decisions. 3. Diagnosed with terminal illness that will lead to death within six months, confirmed by a qualified healthcare provider. 4. Capable of self-administering and ingesting medications without assistance (Death with Dignity, 2023). These stipulations may vary from state to state. Nevertheless, physician assisted death is still illegal in the majority of the states across the nation. The states that oppose the practice have two main arguments 1. Legalizing physicians assisted suicide will cause pressure on terminally ill patients who feel their illness is burdensome. 2. That physicians assisted suicide is incompatible with the physician's role as a healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and would cause societal risks (Lagay, PhD. 2003). The punishment for participation varies, but in many states it is manslaughter, a felony in the second degree.  

 What is it that you believe?  Does an individual who has a terminally ill disease, who will die within 6 months, who still has the capacity at this time to advocate for how they want to die, should we adhere to their wishes?  Is it their right to have bodily autonomy and not slowly, painfully, miserably deteriorate? Who are we to make that choice for them? Should it be up to the states, the legislatures, the physicians?  Or should it be up to the person who is suffering and dying?  What would you choose for yourself?  And who are you to make that decision for someone else?

 If you think that it should be up to the patient, and they meet all requirements. Then sign this petition to pass death with dignity legislation nationally. Believing it is not murder. It is conscious patients making the decision to die on their own terms with their loved ones by their side.

References:

Lagay, PhD, F. 2003. Physician-Assisted Suicide: The Law and Professional Ethics. AMA 

Journal of Ethics. American Medical Association. https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org 

Death With Dignity. 2023).  Frequently Asked Questions. https://deathwithdignity.org/resources/faqs/