Introduction to Ethics: Analyzing Physician-Assisted Suicide (PHIL104)

This essay explores the ethical complexities of physician-assisted suicide (PAS). It begins by defining PAS and differentiating it from euthanasia, then delves into ethical theories to analyze whether PAS aligns with medical ethics. The essay discusses patient autonomy, the right to choose, and the impact of PAS on patients, physicians, family members, and society. It examines the ethical dilemma faced by physicians, the emotional and psychological effects on medical practitioners, and the potential for societal impacts. The essay considers religious perspectives, the scope of autonomy, and potential conflicts. It concludes that while patient autonomy is crucial, the potential adverse effects of PAS on others, including physicians and society, must be carefully considered. The essay argues that PAS should be permitted when it affects only the patient, emphasizing the need to balance individual rights with broader societal values and responsibilities.

Ethics
Running Head: ETHICS 0
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Student’s Name

Physician Assisted Suicide 1
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................7

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Introduction
Many of the aspects related to patients and their service are there which creates a topic of debate
and contains the different opinion of people. Physician-assisted suicide is one such topic. As the
name implies Physician, assisted suicide (hereinafter referred to as PAS) is a type of suicide that
patients commit in the assistance of their doctors and other physicians (Shiel, 2019). Here this is
to state that such assistance can be in direct as well as in indirect mode. Such assistance is
granted in those situations where living is more painful than death for the patient. It is a
voluntary way to end a life. Different nations have different laws on this topic, some of them
allow PAS and some of them restrict the same. Nevertheless, for the preparation of this report,
ethics will be considered instead of legal aspects. The aim of the report is to understand and
conclude that whether a patient should only be allowed to do whatever they want as long as it
affects them only. In the presented report, the discussion will be made on the topic of PAS and
its impacts on the patient as well as on other people.
Discussion
In general, PAS is considered for those patients who are either too old or suffering from some
terrible diseases and does not expect to live anymore. PAS also is known as Euthanasia
sometimes but there is a difference between two of these terms. In Euthanasia, a doctor is
allowed to end the life of a patient whereas, in PAS, a doctor gives assistance to the patient to
end his/her life (Worldrtd.net, 2019). Ethical theories are there which decided whether an act is
ethical or not and as per substantive ethics, PAS does not seem to be an ethical action for doctors
and physicians. The medical profession has a role in society, which is to save the lives of people.

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In such a manner, an action such as PAS cannot be expected to form medical practitioners. While
taking the oath of their profession, they are told that they always should try to save the life of
their patients. Situations like PAS put the doctors and physician in an ethical dilemma (Sulmas
and Mueller, 2017).
Nevertheless, another side of the coin is also required to be understood here. Imagine the
situation of a patient who is truly tired of taking treatment and now wants to die. A person must
have the right to decide whether he/she wants to live in such a terrible health situation or not.
This is the reason that people have different arguments and perception regarding this topic.
Patient’s autonomy is another term that is required to study here. The subjective term refers to a
right of the patient using that they can take a decision regarding their medical care. No one wants
to die if the same is happy and healthy. Hence, patients ask for PAS when living life becomes
more painful than dying. Further, some of the patients do not want to put their friends, family
and other dear ones by being a burden to them.
If to talk about religious belief attached to these issues, this is to state that as per the holy bible,
everyone is entitled to die with morality and peace. Similarly, as per the belief of Buddhism, the
quality of new life depends on the way in which the last life of a person ends. Hence, to say that
from a religious perspective too, patients should be allowed to take the decision of ending their
lives. Moving the discussion towards the issue that a patient face in the whole scenario is that
sometimes, he/she does no remain capable to suffer any more pain. They do not want to be a
burden for their friends and family member, this is the reason that they ask for suicide with the
help and assistance of Physician.

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After the above-mentioned discussion, it is far clear that a person must have the right to take the
decision of his/her life. Patient’s autonomy should be respected ethically and legally. However,
another issue that arises is related to the scope of autonomy. It means it is clear that the patient
must have the right to autonomy but up to what limit. Firstly, the principle of autonomy states
that others should not influence one’s choices and a person’s choices should be his/her own
(Deligiorgi, 2012, 175). In order to discuss this issue, this is to state that in a scenario of PAS, the
only patient is not involved but many other individual groups are there that influence by an
incident of PAS. The first group is of doctors that influence by a PAS in many ways and
provides psychological and emotional responses. In a telephone interview survey of 38 U.S.
oncologists, it was found that nearly a quarter of physicians felt regret about their decision of
assistance in suicide by their patients (Warnock and Macdonald, 2009). Apart from this, some
other data supported the fact that PAS makes physician emotionally disturbed. For some of the
physician in Oregon, PAS proved very stressful for doctors. The issues related to emotions and
phycology depends on the nature of the case. Not all but some of the cases are used to be
reported there giving PAS under that can be very disturbing for doctors. In the respective study,
nearly 16% of physician reported that the emotional burden associated with PAS affect their
practice in an adverse manner (Pies, 2018). It was found that a physician shifted from the city he
was practicing to a small town. Further, many of the times, physicians are not ready for PAS yet
they have to pursue the action because of the demand of patients. It affects them mentally and
influences their career. It is not like that in every situation, PAS affect physicians in an adverse
manner, but it happens many times that cannot be ignored.
PAS affect not only the doctors but also family members and friends. In many of the studies, it
has been found that family members of a patient under a PAS have fewer grief emotions in

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comparison to the natural death of the patient. They remain prepared already and have full
knowledge of the future. As per a study conducted on family members of a patient who pursued
PAS in Portland, Oregon, it was found that 11 out of 100 were having some kind of depression
whereas 2 out of 100 had symptoms of grief. However, when the study went far, it was found
that the result was the same in cases of natural death (Consumerreports.org, 2009). In fact,
family members of patient pursued PAS were more prepared for the patient’s death. But the
situation is not the same always. Many time, family members feel regret about the decision of
PAS or they think that patient could be revived. Such cases may affect the mental health of
family members where they treat PAS as a normal case of suicide.
Apart from physician, family members, and friends of patients, society is another factor that
influences by an incident of PAS. PAS adversely affect culture and society (Denverpost.com,
2016). People start considering their old parents as a burden. This undermines true compassion
and social solidarity (Anderson, 2015a). Age and die do not remain private matters when the
same starts influencing the opinion of society in a negative manner. In general, culture teaches
that family members should be around to patient and help a person in time of sorrow but PAS is
just opposite it and defeats the cultural values (Anderson, 2015b). PAS spread an unsocial and
unethical message to society. In such a situation, PAS seems to be a danger for society and
culture.
Conclusion
In the presented, report the discussion has been made on the topic of PAS. In the above-
mentioned discussion, the reason because of that PAS is required to be allowed has been
discussed. No one wants to be in pain and everyone has a right to die with dignity and peace.

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This is the reason that persons should be allowed to do whatever they want to do with their life.
However, sometimes, PAS also affect other people and factors such as a physician, family
members, and social values. Allowing PAS in such situation can be dangerous for other people.
In order to help patients, the lives of other people cannot be put into danger. In addition to this,
the value of society is also important factor that cannot be ignored. It all depends on the cases
that whether a PAS affects patient only or to other people too. In a conclusive way, this is to state
that PAS and all the other things should be allowed to patients as long as it only affects them. It
means if PAS has an adverse impact on others, the same must not be allowed.

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References
Anderson, R. (2015a) Physician-Assisted Suicide Compromises the Family and
Intergenerational Obligations. [online] Available from: https://www.heritage.org/health-care-
reform/report/physician-assisted-suicide-compromises-the-family-and-intergenerational
[Accessed on 25/07/2019]
Anderson, R., T. (2015b) Physician-Assisted Suicide Is Always Wrong. [online] Available from:
https://www.newsweek.com/physician-assisted-suicide-always-wrong-317042 [Accessed on
25/07/2019]
Consumerreports.org. (2009) How does physician-assisted suicide affect the family? [online]
Available from: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/10/how-does-physician-
assisted-suicide-affect-the-family/index.htm [Accessed on 25/07/2019]
Deligiorgi, K. (2012) The Scope of Autonomy: Kant and the Morality of Freedom. UK: OUP
Oxford.
Denverpost.com. (2016) How physician-assisted suicide affects the rest of society. [online]
Available from: https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/25/physician-assisted-suicide-affects-
society/ [Accessed on 25/07/2019]
Pies, R., W. (2018) How does assisting with suicide affect physicians? [online] Available from:
https://theconversation.com/how-does-assisting-with-suicide-affect-physicians-87570 [Accessed
on 25/07/2019]
Shiel, W., C. (2019) Medical Definition of Physician-assisted suicide. [online] Available from:
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=32841 [Accessed on 25/07/2019]

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Sulmasy, L.S. and Mueller, P.S., 2017. Ethics and the legalization of physician-assisted suicide:
an American College of Physicians position paper. Annals of internal medicine, 167(8), pp.576-
578.
Warnock, M. and Macdonald, E. (2009) Easeful Death: Is There a Case for Assisted Dying?UK:
Oxford University Press.
Worldrtd.net. (2019) Is physician-assisted suicide the same as euthanasia? [online] Available
from: https://www.worldrtd.net/qanda/physician-assisted-suicide-same-euthanasia [Accessed on
25/07/2019]