Examine the legal and ethical issues related to physician-assisted suicide

Physician-assisted suicide, also known as assisted dying or aid-in-dying, refers to the practice of a physician providing a patient with the means to end their own life, typically through the prescription of a lethal dose of medication (Pozgar, 2020). This practice is legal in a number of countries and states around the world, but it remains a controversial and highly debated topic.

There are a number of legal and ethical issues related to physician-assisted suicide. In many jurisdictions, physician-assisted suicide is illegal, and physicians who participate in assisted dying may face criminal charges (Pozgar, 2020). In jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal, there are often strict legal requirements and procedures that must be followed in order to ensure that the patient’s decision is voluntary and informed.

There are also ethical complications with the process and can affect the general perception of the healthcare sector (Pozgar, 2020). Many people believe that assisted dying is a violation of the medical profession’s ethical obligation to preserve life and that it undermines the trust and respect that should exist between doctors and patients.

Others argue that assisted dying is a compassionate and humane way to provide relief to patients who are suffering from terminal or incurable conditions and that it is a fundamental right for individuals to be able to make decisions about their own end-of-life care (Pozgar, 2020). Additionally, there are ethical and legal concerns that physician-assisted suicide may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as those who are low-income, elderly, or disabled, and that it may be used as a substitute for proper palliative care.

Reference

Pozgar, G. D. (2020). Legal and ethical issues for health professionals (5th ed.). Jones and Bartlett. ISBN: 9781284144185.