1.

In  How to Die in Oregon, how were language and images used to influence the
perception of physician-assisted suicide? What benefits and risks do you see with
physician-assisted suicide? (200+ words)
            The documentary had used language and image to influence the audience’s perception of
physician-assisted suicide by portraying the lives of these individuals giving us a better
understanding of their thought process behind making their decision. This documentary did a
great job of portraying various ideas encompassing physician-assisted suicide through various
lenses including the patients, their families, and their doctors. Watching the process these people
undergo and how seeing how their family members react makes you realize how grateful they
are to escape their suffering and end their pain on their terms. For example, in the first scene, we
see how thankful and happy Roger is to finally end his pain while being surrounded by his
family. Seeing the quality of life and the amount of pain these individuals had to go through
really makes you more sympathetic to their situation and appreciative of the bravery it takes to
accept their reality to make such a difficult decision.  I was particularly moved by Cody Curtis’s
case, she had said that she didn’t want to die but there was no other alternative, she wanted to
escape her pain and die peacefully with dignity and without being a burden on her family.
Physician-assisted suicide gives people who have already lost so much control over so many
aspects of their life the ability to gain autonomy and decide what happens to their bodies at the
end of their life. I think that a potential risk of physician-assisted suicide is when it is pushed
onto individuals as an escape from the financial burden of seeking treatment, as portrayed in
Randy’s case where he says, “they’ll pay to kill me but won’t pay to help me”.  I think another
risk of physician-assisted suicide is the false sense of certainty that may arise from an
individual’s sense of hopelessness.

2. What do you think about permitting physician-assisted suicide for non-terminally ill
people as shown in Allow Me to Die? What do you think should be taken into
consideration before physician-assisted suicide is offered as an option to a patient?
(200+ words)
      I think that permitting physician-assisted suicide for non-terminally ill patients is unethical.
A critical consideration of physician-assisted suicide for the non-terminally is better regulation
and licensing of the physician who assesses whether or not a patient should be considered for this
procedure. I find it insane that the Euthanasia Control Commission reviews cases after the
patient has done the procedure and has already died. I don’t see how Dr.Van Hoey seemed so ok
with killing patients because they simply asked for it. I’m also shocked that Dr. Van Hoey had
approved the women’s request without consulting a psychiatrist when she was going through
grief and depression, life is so valuable it shouldn’t be that easy to make such a large decision. I
think that this option for mental suffering is unethical, it is taking advantage of a person who is
not in the right psychological mindset to make such a substantial decision. Why not focus on
providing a solution such as better access to mental health resources rather than an escape
through euthanasia?  If euthanasia is used for mental suffering, then what’s the difference
between that and committing suicide? In my opinion, comparing physician-assisted suicide for
the terminally ill vs physician-assisted suicide for the non-terminally ill can be compared to the
concepts of just giving up on life verses dying with dignity. Allowing this much leniency when it
comes to who qualifies for physician-assisted suicide could lead to a slippery slope that will
decrease the value of human life, make it easier for people to give up and result in the abuse of
power by those regulating it. I have more compassion for this option when it comes to those
suffering from unbearable pain, as shown in Peters's case because he does want to live and watch
his kids grow up, but his unbearable pain makes it difficult,  so euthanasia is an option but he
considered his other alternatives first.
What thoughts do you have about child euthanasia? Should it be allowed? If so, at what
age? What are the risks involved? (150+ words)
            No, I don’t think child euthanasia should be allowed, children and adolescents don’t have
a fully developed pre-frontal cortex which causes them to be more impulsive and lack the mental
capacity as well as rational functions to make such large decisions. This why there are enforced
laws of what age we are allowed to vote, smoke, and drink, it would be insane and morally
wrong to allow them to have control over such life and death power. The child’s illness is
probably causing them to face a very stressful situation, this stress can also have a substantial
effect on their mental state and cause them to lack the psychological ability as well as an
understanding of their medical condition and potential alternative treatments.  It is so sad to see
that hope or reason for these children to continue living can be completely abandoned. I think
other risks involved include mistakes or abuse due to regulation standards. I also think that the
involvement of the parents or the influence of third parties on the child’s decision can also pose a
potential risk.
 

4. Overall, what do you think about euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide? you for
it, against it, undecided? Why? Are there alternative solutions? Defend your position
with ethical reasoning and logic.  If you're for it, what should our society consider before
just voting "YES!" and legalizing it? What safeguards should be put in place? What
potential consequences are you concerned about if it's legalized? If you're against it,
what should be done to help those who are suffering tremendously and are terminally
ill? How do you justify imposing your beliefs on others? Why should people have to
endure such misery? (300+ words)
            I am undecided when it comes to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. This is
because I think that like many things in bioethics it is not easy to just say you are for it or you are
against it, rather for me physician-assisted suicide falls into a spectrum that can be rationalized
based on the specific circumstance. I think that physician-assisted suicide is more ethical than
euthanasia because the doctor is not directly killing the patient rather the patient is given the
responsibility and freedom to control the context in which they decide to die. I think that
Physician-assisted suicide can be rationalized in certain cases such as individuals who are
terminally ill and suffering from unbearable pain. In these cases, physician-assisted suicide will
help alleviate there suffering and pain allowing them to have control over how they die and as
well as allowing them to die more comfortably. I don’t think physician-assisted suicide is
morally acceptable as a practice in certain vulnerable populations such as children, the mentally
ill, or in non-terminally patients. There must be strict regulations and ethical committees that
carefully consider each person’s circumstances including the individual’s medical history,
medical prognosis, possible alternative treatment options, and psychological status before
making such a large decision. Alternative treatment and palliative care options should be
carefully considered before resorting to assisted suicide. I believe that another consideration
should be increasing the availability of and access to medical and mental health resources
regardless of financial status. In the documentary How to Die in Oregon, the man was not able to
seek treatment due to the financial burden however, they offered to pay his euthanasia procedure
which sadly places a price tag on him as a person. Human life is so valuable and deserves
protection physician-assisted suicide is such a heavy decision, so it is critical that the person is
100% certain about their choice and that the potential consequences of legalization are carefully
considered.
of legalization are carefully considered.