Consult Your Doctor
According to a survey taken in D.C., half of those polled agreed that doctors should be able to perform assisted suicides.
I understand how sensitive an issue this is for most people; they don't want their doctors to determine who lives and who dies. Some don't want them to "let go" of a patient who may become a potential organ donor.
I'd hate to think some doctors would do such a thing in the name of harvesting fresh organs. As for the live/death angle, doctors decided that everyday: if a car crash puts two people in mortal danger, the doctor has to make a choice on who to help first. I'm can only assume how they make that determination, and whether they use the same criteria for every accident /injury, or take it on a case-by-case basis.
I will say this: I think if a person is in a situation where assisted suicide comes up, someone other than the doctor should be involved in the decision. I would suggest a qualified medical professionals and one family member at the very least.
Of course, there's the issue of which familiy member (parent, spouse, children, siblings) and what constitutes a "qualified medical professional" (I'm sure each state has its own definition). But this is definitely something lawmakers and the medical world needs to discuss further.
I understand how sensitive an issue this is for most people; they don't want their doctors to determine who lives and who dies. Some don't want them to "let go" of a patient who may become a potential organ donor.
I'd hate to think some doctors would do such a thing in the name of harvesting fresh organs. As for the live/death angle, doctors decided that everyday: if a car crash puts two people in mortal danger, the doctor has to make a choice on who to help first. I'm can only assume how they make that determination, and whether they use the same criteria for every accident /injury, or take it on a case-by-case basis.
I will say this: I think if a person is in a situation where assisted suicide comes up, someone other than the doctor should be involved in the decision. I would suggest a qualified medical professionals and one family member at the very least.
Of course, there's the issue of which familiy member (parent, spouse, children, siblings) and what constitutes a "qualified medical professional" (I'm sure each state has its own definition). But this is definitely something lawmakers and the medical world needs to discuss further.
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