Physician-Assisted Suicide

Many people, especially in America, take physician-assisted suicide as a means to relieve their pain if they possess a terminal illness. However, do some act instead of thinking about it? Maybe some people are under depression, or just don't feel like living anymore. Talk to me about whether you think physician-assisted suicide should be legal, and give me some contentions (arguments) that support your reasoning.

The reason I ask this is because I had to do a debate on this recently in a class. I had chosen the side that was against physician-assisted suicide, and I had won. But, now that I think about it, I don't know which side is right...please share your thoughts.

Novice in this.

UD - Very sensitive topic. Most of us want to avoid thought of death, but fact it fact.

Congratts on winning the debate, professionally I would also not supported PSS, even though some state legalized it. I know this is debatable and depends on many factors but I would take stanze on we are no one to decide life/death and miracles do happen. Sounds unrealitic, agreed.

On other thought, if pain and suffering and cost going through terminal sickness is immense then thinking practically would think about it, only if I don't hurt my loved ones.

Lastly God forbid such reality comes accross anyone, being a pro, in that field I know you can better assess whats the best.

So what was your winning argument in this case?

See you can look at this from both points of view... I do not approve of the term Physician Assisted Suicide...
Call it Euthanasia

Originally posted by: raj5000

Novice in this.

UD - Very sensitive topic. Most of us want to avoid thought of death, but fact it fact.

Congratts on winning the debate, professionally I would also not supported PSS, even though some state legalized it. I know this is debatable and depends on many factors but I would take stanze on we are no one to decide life/death and miracles do happen. Sounds unrealitic, agreed.

On other thought, if pain and suffering and cost going through terminal sickness is immense then thinking practically would think about it, only if I don't hurt my loved ones.

Lastly God forbid such reality comes accross anyone, being a pro, in that field I know you can better assess whats the best.

So what was your winning argument in this case?

I actually had three winning arguments; they were: physician assisted suicide is caused by depression, doctors are not allowed to perform it because of the hippocratic oath they make when they become doctors, and finally, that hospitals may perform physician-assisted suicide as a means of cost containment. Thanks for your thoughts!

Originally posted by: UDman

I actually had three winning arguments; they were: physician assisted suicide is caused by depression, doctors are not allowed to perform it because of the hippocratic oath they make when they become doctors, and finally, that hospitals may perform physician-assisted suicide as a means of cost containment. Thanks for your thoughts!

Thanks!

Hospitals perform PSS as means of cost containment? Unable to get this one, anyways hostpitals are not paying for prolonged treatment, its either the insurance or the patient(Guarantor ) is liable.

This has a variation... The problem with PAS is pain and its perception is veri relative... so it cant be a compelling justification for PAS. More often its the economic reason for which the plug is pulled...and which is why its so debated... and yes PAS is another one of american terms.. the correct one is indeed euthanasia...

yeahh euthanasia... um personally I thought I agreed with it because I mean some elder ppl simply can't live alone and need freedom and the only way that comes is through death.

But i mean if it actually is done for economic reasons .. like to free hospitals of burdensome costs then I would defenitely disagree with it. No one has the right to do so.. especially without the person's permission and if patients are persuaded into believing that this is their best option then again that is wrong since ppl can't make proper decisions when all their facts are biased.

And then also, most ppl when making such decisions aren't as they say in hindi in their "hosh-o-havas" something like that, and therefore, I don't think they're making appropriate decisions.

But then again our own charters of rights and freedoms allow people to make decisiosn for themselves then how can these decisions be wrong.

ahhh This topic is soo confusing. I hate it when I can't take a certain stand point.

I would actually like to know your details.. because I know if I was debating this topic, I really would not be able to take a proper stand point.

Yes... there are several sources (I do not have them in front of me right now) that show that hospitals do indeed commit this.

Please continue to share your thoughts