Physician-assisted suicide
Physician-assisted suicide
Physician-assisted suicide (fɪˈzɪʃən əˈsɪstɪd ˈsuːɪsaɪd) is a medical practice where a physician provides a potentially lethal medication to a patient who is suffering from a terminal illness or severe disability, and the patient self-administers the medication to end their own life.
Etymology
The term "physician-assisted suicide" is derived from the Greek words "physikos" meaning "natural" or "physical", "assistere" meaning "to stand by", and "suicidium" meaning "the act of taking one's own life".
Related Terms
- Euthanasia: The act of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering. Unlike physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia involves the physician administering the lethal dose, rather than the patient.
- Palliative Care: A specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses, focusing on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness.
- Terminal Illness: A disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient.
- Advance Directive: A legal document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity.
- Right to Die: The ethical or institutional entitlement of an individual to commit suicide or to undergo voluntary euthanasia.
Legal Status
Physician-assisted suicide is legal in some countries and states, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Colombia, Luxembourg, and the U.S. states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. However, it remains a controversial issue with strong arguments on both sides.
Ethical Considerations
The ethical considerations surrounding physician-assisted suicide are complex and often involve discussions about patient autonomy, the sanctity of life, and the role of the physician in end-of-life care.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Physician-assisted suicide
- Wikipedia's article - Physician-assisted suicide
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