| ISSUE SUMMARY |
| Disabilities Ethical History International Medical Psychological Religious |
U.S. Historical Perspective and Current Trends Alaska California California Death With Dignity Act Florida Hawaii Maine Michigan Proposal B - Michigan's Ballot Initiative on Assisted Suicide New Hampshire New Hampshire Aid-in-Dying Act New York Oregon 1st Annual Report on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act (1998) 2nd Annual Report on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act (1999) 3rd Annual Report on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act (2000) 4th Annual Report on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act (2001) 5th Annual Report on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act (2002) Eighth Annual Report on Assisted Suicide in Oregon. Executive Summary of the 5th Annual Report on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act (2002) How Do Oregon Psychologists View Their Role in Physician-Assisted Suicide? Measure 16 - Oregon Death With Dignity Act Oregon's Assisted Suicide Experience: Safeguards Don't Work Physician-Assisted Suicide: Reflections on Oregon's First Case The Oregon Report: Don't Ask, Don't Tell Vermont Washington |
Definitions Some people mistakenly believe "physician-assisted suicide" and "euthanasia" are the same and use the terms interchangeably. While the terms are arguably related by subject matter, the two actions are different and the distinctions are significant."Physician-assisted suicide" involves a medical doctor who intentionally provides a patient with the means to kill him or herself, usually by an overdose of prescription medication. Assisting in a suicide is not necessarily an action limited to physicians. The term "assisted suicide" applies if a layperson provides the deadly means to the patient. The current legal and policy debate in the United States involves physician-assisted suicide, not euthanasia. The term "euthanasia" comes from the Greek word for "good death." Based on the word's origin, many view euthanasia as simply bringing relief by alleviating pain and suffering. The word has also been used to represent the decision to refrain from using "heroic" measures in an end-of-life situation. The term "passive euthanasia" has been used in this context. Euthanasia involves the intentional and direct killing of a patient by a physician or another party, ostensibly for the good of the patient or others. In other words, someone administers the means of death to the patient. The most common form of euthanasia by a physician is lethal injection. Euthanasia can be voluntary (at the patient's request), non-voluntary (without the knowledge or consent of the patient) or involuntary (against the patient's wishes). While non-voluntary or involuntary euthanasia is viewed by some as a justified response to a patient's suffering, such actions often involve a physician or third party who is motivated by misguided compassion or has decided the patient's life has become a burden. It is important to note that a person can reject medical treatment at the end of life without committing euthanasia. The present euthanasia debate is not about refusing treatment or using extraordinary measures. The issue is whether physicians should be allowed to intentionally kill their patients, either by providing the means of death or by directly ending the patient's life. There is a tremendous distinction between allowing someone to die naturally when medical technology cannot stop the dying process and causing someone to die through physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. The question is one of intent. Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia come into play if the intention is to cause the death of the patient. Posted on June 26, 2004. |