The Debate of Physician-Assisted Suicide

Advancement in technology has drastically changed the healthcare system, ultimately giving rise to a greater life expectancy compared to older generations. However, the improvements in drugs and medications have also led to quickening death with the help from a physician. This idea has influenced a debate between the duty of a physician to heal rather than harm an individual. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if there is enough evidence to justify the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. Through an evaluation of journal articles within the Sacred Heart University library database as well as Google Scholar, the role of a slippery slope, palliative care, and autonomy were analyzed to debate the justification of physician-assisted suicide. Some statistics superficially lead to the belief of a slippery slope of the legalization of physician-assisted suicide influencing the acceptance of euthanasia, however, it can be challenged because that trend is not seen in countries that only legalized one action without the other. Physician-assisted suicide disproportionately affects individuals that are white, educated, and insured; not leading to the exploitation of marginalized populations. Increased development of palliative care has been seen in countries that legalized physician-assisted suicide. Lastly, from the physician perspective, there is more physician support for legalization of physician-assisted suicide over ethical justification and participation. Therefore, the legalization of physician-assisted suicide provide individuals with the opportunity of a safe medical procedure but should not force doctors or patients to participate if they do not desire to do so