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With names like Dr. Jack Kevorkian and Terri Schiavo making international headlines during the past few years, the complicated subject of euthanasia remains on everyone's mind. But when considering the plight of the terminally ill and their potential suffering, is "pulling the plug" a matter of dying with dignity or tragically playing God?
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When Choices Become Obligations
Erroneous "Bottom Line"
Clearly, the “bottom line” stated in this argument is faulty. Terminally ill patients are, in fact, the only targets of potential legislature. No one is going to allow the elderly to end their lives simply because they don’t want to be a burden. Unless they have a terminal disease that causes them pain or suffering, they will not be granted their request. A University of Michigan study suggests three guidelines for allowing a physician-assisted suicide: 1) the patient must be a mentally competent adult whose death is expected within six months, 2) the patient must request her physician’s assistance to end his/her life on more than one occasion, and 3) a second physician must examine the patient and agree with the diagnosis and outlook.* One would assume that if legislature is to be passed, restrictions similar to these proposed ones would be established, therefore excluding people who are simply elderly from physician-assisted suicide.
Furthermore, where is the evidence that says “right to die” advocates are headed towards more of a “duty to die” outlook? Governor Lamm does not speak for all “right to die” advocates, so the fact that he mentioned the elderly’s duty to die does not prove that the “right to die” advocates are inclined to think that way. If you are going to proclaim that you know precisely where the legislative agenda is headed, you had best be prepared to back it up with more solid evidence than one person making a point.
*J.G. Bachman et. al, "Attitudes of Michigan Physicians and Public towards Legalizing Physician Assisted Suicide." NEJM 1996; 334:303-09.
- Yesterday
March 1, 2009 4:42PM
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