Reaction to Death With Dignity essays

Reaction to Death With Dignity essays Choice of Pysicain Assisted Sucide Should Be States It is clear from reading the Oregon Death with Dignity Act that those who drafted this legislation wanted to give the choice to individuals who were terminally ill as defined in the Act, to have the ability to end their life on their own terms. The intention of this Act is to give a person the ability to control their own death in which would without this alternative be controlled by their disease. I feel that by requiring two separate concurring opinions that conclude with the diagnosis of a terminal illness, and by requiring a psychological review to ensure the individual possess clear judgment, it is enough to classify this option as a medical treatment rather than a suicide. I categorize this as a treatment because I feel it is not entirely different than anything else a physician can offer to their patients who suffer from these conditions. Before the Act, physicians could only offer treatments which provided physical comfort to their patients during their decline in health. I believe this new option is a treatment that provides the patient with mental comfort by providing them the piece of mind that they can control the time and place of their death. An individual who chooses physical comfort is looking to be in the least amount of pain while living as long as their disease allows. A person who seeks the option offered in the Oregon Act is choosing the mental comfort of being able to die under the conditions which they themselves determine. Both of these options are reasonable, and should be available to all those who are faced with such a dilemma. Those who developed this option intended for the individuals who qualify to repeatedly have to request for the prescription with several applications and documents, ensuring that the patient is absolutely certain with their decision. The requirement of a psychological examination is extremely important because of the impact...