Bioethics/Sanctity of Human Life: Euthanasia/Physician Assisted Suicide

Death is the inevitable fate of all humans but how we die is an issue of great concern for many of us. Fear of pain, loss of control and being a burden to our loved ones are common issues surrounding death and dying. But, to what degree should individuals be allowed to control the circumstances of their death ? even to the point of involving a physician?

The proposed legalization of physician-assisted suicide (and to some degree euthanasia) is a topic of debate in state legislatures, medical journals and family gatherings, raising many questions along the way: Should personal autonomy in medical decision-making extend to having a physician assisted you in suicide? If so, should this ?right? be limited to terminally ill patients or also extended to those who are chronically ill? What about depression and adequate pain relief to lessen the patient?s desire to die? And, what impact would legalizing physician-assisted suicide have on the doctor-patient relationship?