Death with Dignity Act
Death with Dignity Act (pronunciation: dɛθ wɪð dɪɡˈnɪti ækt) is a piece of legislation that allows terminally ill adults to voluntarily request and receive prescription medication to hasten their death.
Etymology
The term "Death with Dignity Act" is derived from the concept of dying with dignity, which refers to the idea that a person should be able to die in a manner and at a time of their own choosing, and that they should be able to avoid unnecessary suffering and pain.
Related Terms
- Euthanasia: The act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.
- Assisted suicide: Suicide committed with the aid of another person, sometimes a physician.
- Palliative care: An approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness.
- Hospice care: A type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient's pain and symptoms.
Legislation
The Death with Dignity Act was first enacted in the U.S. state of Oregon in 1997, and has since been adopted by several other states. The Act allows terminally ill adults seeking to end their life to request lethal doses of medication from medical and osteopathic physicians. These requests must be confirmed by two witnesses, one of whom must not be a relative, the patient's physician, or connected to a health facility where the patient is treated or resides.
Controversy
The Death with Dignity Act has been a subject of controversy and legal challenges, with opponents arguing that it devalues life and could lead to abuses, while supporters argue that individuals should have the right to control their own death and die with dignity.
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