Kaitlyn Thomas Thomas,1

Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
“I think those who have a terminal illness and are in great pain should have the

right to choose the end of their own life” (Stephen Hawking,2015). PAS, otherwise known

as Physician-Assisted Suicide, is described as the act of a patient willing ending their life

by the dispensation of a lethal medication with the help of a Doctor. The debates of

whether this should be legalized will range from ethical to legal, to religious and one's own

civil rights to decide to live life and die on their own terms. In this paper, I will discuss the

ethical, moral, and legal aspects of PAS and why this is a highly charged subject for a

controversial debate. Terminally ill patients, who meet the medical requirements of

Physician-Assisted Suicide, should have the right to die peacefully on their own terms,

without government-mandated obstacles to overcome.

In 1905, in the state of Ohio, the original bill was drafted to set forth the

legalization of Physician-Assisted suicide but was ultimately denied In 1997 during the

Washington v. Glucksberg case, it was ruled by the Supreme Court that the legalization of

PAS will need to be determined by each state. According to Britannica ProCon website, as

of 2019 there are currently ten states that allow the legal practice of Physician-Assisted

Suicide. This includes the following states: Washington, Vermont, Oregon, Hawaii,

California, New Jersey, Maine, Colorado, Montana, and Washington D.C. (ProCon.org

2019)

Currently, there are 9 countries, other than the United States that allow the legal

practice of assisted suicide. They are the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland,
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Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
Germany, Japan, Columbia, Albania, and Canada. Japan currently has no set policies or

laws for euthanasia or assisted suicide, but there have been cases on record. The

Netherlands officially make the practice of assisted suicide legal in 2002, but the practice

of PAS seems to go on a case by case scenario 1970’s, and individuals as young as 12

years old can request the act, even then, the requirements to do so are very strict.

Columbia’s requirements for an individual to get approved for assisted suicide is

much wider than what is allowed in many other countries, including the United States. For

an individual to be declared as terminally ill, they must have been diagnosed with either

cancer, liver as well as kidney failure, or AIDS. In 2010, it was protested that other

terminal diseases, including Alzheimer’s be added to the list of approved diagnoses. In

Germany, the law for PAS is tricky, a doctor is legally allowed to remove a patient from

life support if previous consent was given. Patients are given the choice to deny any form

of live-saving treatments. Doctors are also by law given the ability to provide lethal

medications to terminal individuals.

In Albania, as well as Canada, they have different approaches to the legalization of

Physician-Assisted Suicide. These two countries don’t legally allow PAS, but they do

allow Passive Euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is essentially the legal way to end someone’s

life who is unable to make the decision (i.e. being in a coma). In Albania, this practice is

allowed if three family members can all come to the same agreement and give consent.
Kaitlyn Thomas Thomas,3

Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
(MC,2014) There is much controversy in Canada because Physician-Assisted Suicide is

illegal, but the act of Passive Euthanasia is legal.

After combing through some stories of those who chose to end their life using

Physician-Assisted Suicide, one name and story stuck out to me and seemed to be just

about everywhere on my research. Her name is Brittany Maynard. Brittany was 29 years

old, just recently gotten married and was beginning her new life with her husband, Dan

Diaz. They were looking forward to starting a family when the worst happened. Brittany

went to the ER on New Year’s Eve because of recurrent headaches and was diagnosed with

a deadly form of brain cancer and given a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Shortly after

receiving her diagnosis, Brittany and her husband Dan relocated to Oregon where PAS was

legal. During an interview with Times Magazine, Brittany talked about the hurt she

felt that people try to align suicide with medically assisted suicide because they

aren’t the same thing. She went on to say that the key difference is she doesn’t want

to die, but the simple truth is that she is dying (TimesNews,2014). Brittany Maynard

took charge of her own destiny and peacefully died on November 4 th ,2014,

surrounded by her friends and family.

Most well known in the fight to legalize PAS is Jack Kevorkian who earned the

nickname “Dr. Death”.  Jack Kevorkian was a medical pathologist who helped aid in

peacefully ending the lives of over 100 terminally ill patients. In 1998, 60 Minutes CBS,

did a show on Jack Kevorkian, where he showed how the machine, the “Thanatron”
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Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
worked. The “Thanatron” was essentially an I.V pump machine that was hooked up

intravenously to the patients arm and it pumped the lethal dose of medication into the

patient. This machine was used to help peacefully the life of Thomas Youk and later had

his medical license stripped and was tried and convicted of murder. Jack Kevorkian was

convicted in 1999 of second-degree murder but was eventually released after only serving

eight of his original ten to twenty-five-year sentence. According to this article, the lawyers

of Jack Kevorkian stated he suffered from a few different health problems and he agreed to

sign an affidavit agreeing to no longer assist in any more suicides upon release from prison

(Torrey and Hinzey, RD 2011). 

During a 2005 prison interview, Kevorkian expressed sorrow because he felt that

what he did was a good thing and that he was helping to end suffering. "It was

disappointing because what I did turned out to be in vain” (Kervorkian,2005). He

expressed how his only true regret was not going through the legal system. Jack Kevorkian

ultimately succumbed to his illnesses and died at the age of 83 on June 03, 2011.

While I am not a nurse or a physician, my background in healthcare gives me a

different viewpoint from the public. Having lost my own Mom in 2014 to Multiple

Sclerosis, and then my Stepmom in 2021 to a very rare and aggressive form of cancer

called Bile Duct cancer, I have a deeper feeling about this topic. Everyone deserves the

basic human decency and right to live life on their own terms and that includes dying. I

firmly believe that choosing how to live and die is one's own choice and that the legal
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Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
system should not be allowed to have a say in the matter. Just like every terminally ill

patient deserves the right to choose their death, Physicians also have a right to decide if

their morals align with assisting in their death.

The most common reason for patients to request assisted suicide is the loss of body

autonomy. This is where one might feel like their life is out of their control, and they can

no longer fully take care of themselves. 63.3% of patients who used physician-assisted

suicide are cancer patients. Another common reason that people will request assisted

suicide are those suffering from cancer or neurological diseases, especially those with no

known cure and aid to avoid future suffering. Some patients will request, get approved, and

have access to the lethal medication in the event the suffering will become too much but

may never actually use it. Sometimes it’s the relief of just knowing they can make that

decision if they want to in the future, which can help one cope. 

Terminally ill patients are given the relief and dignity to die on their own terms.

They are given the opportunity to say goodbye to their friends and family. Physician-

Assisted Suicide can provide a person with the release of knowing that they have a better

chance of dying peacefully. Although there are new advances for hospice and powers of

care sometimes that’s just simply not enough when the patient knows what the outcome of

their illness will be. According to Gallup News, roughly 7 out of 10 people are in favor of

legalizing death by Physician-Assisted Suicide.

Kaitlyn Thomas Thomas,6

Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide

Figure 1. Matt Larson in 2016, after brain tumor diagnosis at 36 years old. He went on to become a spokesman for

Colorado’s Proposition 106, which would individuals who are of sound and mind to receive the necessary medication to

end their life.

“The greatest human freedom is to live and die according to our own desires and beliefs.”

(Lawatsch, EdD, MSW). The Death with Dignity National Center is a nonprofit organization

based out of Portland, Oregon. The Death with Dignity National Centers, which was founded in

2005, works with qualified patients who are deemed terminally ill to help them get the approval

to legally allow them to make their choice for when/how they want to die. This organization

helps provide support for not only the patients themselves, but for the loved ones of the patients.

Some of the key fundamental values this organization stands for includes freedom, dignity, and

trust.

Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act was created in 1997 and is used as a baseline for

the requirement in all 10 states that allow Physician-Assisted Suicide. According to the

website, https://deathwithdignity.org, to obtain the life ending medication, one must meet

the listed requirements below:

 One must be over the age of 18

Kaitlyn Thomas Thomas,7

Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
 One must officially live as a resident in the state.

 The individual must be competent of verbalizing and discussing their

healthcare choice.

 The individual must have a terminal medical diagnosis that gives them less

than six months to survive

   The next step in obtaining a prescription for the lethal medication needed will also

require many boxes to be checked. The phases listed below must be fulfilled to receive the

medication:

 The individual must have two spoken requests no more than fifteen days

apart from two different doctors.

 A legally binding document signed with two eyewitnesses.

 The individual must obtain medical verification of the terminal illness along

with prognosis for survival by a doctor.

 The individual must undergo an evaluation to determine their current mental

competency from both physicians involved.

  If the attending in charge of the case is under the impression the

individual’s perception is incompetent by a mental health disturbance, that

individual will have to undergo psychiatric assessments.

 The individual must be made aware of the other potential options such as

comfort care instead of obtaining lethal medicine.

Kaitlyn Thomas Thomas,8

Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
 The doctor who will be prescribing the lethal medication has to petition that

the individual will alert their legal kin of the wish for the medicine.

(Saint Joseph’s University 2011).

Even in the 10 states that do allow physician-assisted suicide to be carried out,

doctors are still allowed to make their own personal choice to not participate in the

assistance. After approval of lethal medication, you must take the medication in the state

where the medication was prescribed. Failure to do so can result in the risk of potentially

losing the legal protections that come along with that prescription.

I currently work at Kettering Cancer Center and decided that there was no better

way to get a good opinion on the topic than from the point of view of a medical

professional. I work with some of the best Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered

Nurses and was awarded the opportunity to interview Elizabeth Murphy, APRN-CNP. I

sent roughly four questions Elizabeth Murphy and pulled one from my interview that I felt

really stood out for this research paper.

During my interview with Elizabeth Murphy, there was one question I was looking

forward to hearing her response. “If euthanasia was legal, who in addition to the patient's

physician should be involved in the vetting of the patient to make sure they are of sound mind to

make this decision? (i.e. priest, clergy, therapist, etc.)”. She described that she absolutely felt a

multidisciplinary team is necessary in authorizing/ approving the patient for Physician-Assisted

Suicide/Euthanasia. She explained the team should be comprised of a medical physician, hospice
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Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

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Physician–Assisted Suicide
physician, psychologist or psychiatrist, palliative care advocate, spiritual leader, and a family

member to help the patient make this decision. The patient of course would need to be of sound

body and mind to make this decision (Murphy,2021). The patient would need to have a rigorous

session with psychology/psychiatry to evaluate cognitive status. Elizabeth expressed that she also

wished that they would have some support from either their power of attorney, first-degree

relative/family in this endeavor. She stated that she also felt that with the legality of euthanasia,

some sort of legal documentation or presence should be included when making a case with the

patient's euthanasia (Murphy,2021).

After corresponding with Dr. Safa about his interview questions, there was one that I was

most looking forward to hearing his response for. “The Hippocratic Oath states, “Do No Harm”.

Would assisting a terminal patient in suicide, who is in extreme pain and which no relief is left to

provide, still be violating that same oath? Why or why not?”. Dr. Safa stated that he felt that

Physician-Assisted Suicide does directly violate “The Hippocratic Oath” because killing means

harm.

Many argue that Physician-Assisted Suicide is not ethical for many reasons. According to

Barbara Rockett in the article, “Physician-Assisted Dying Is Not Ethical”, she mentions how for

a terminally ill patient, the last six months of life is the most expensive care. The legalization of

PAS can lead to what some refer to as a “slippery slope”, which some argue is getting very close

to the fine line of mercy killing for the benefit of society, much like the Nazi leader Adolf Hilter.
Kaitlyn Thomas Thomas,10

Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
A religious argument in opposition for PAS is directly related to the Bible and that suicide is

simply against the wishes of God and is considered a sin.

A counterargument against PAS that is non-religious to not legalize PAS is the

availability of palliative care, which is essentially medical staff reducing the pain and suffering

in a dying patient rather than creating an abrupt stop to their life. It was stated that if PAS

becomes legal, palliative care might become less and less available as doctors will begin to opt

for the cheaper route to end a terminal patient’s life. If this act becomes legal, it might deter new

innovations for new treatments or even cures for certain terminal diseases. When an individual

becomes a Physician, they agree to a pledge known as the Hippocratic oath. The most well-

known statement that a doctor has to take is to “Do No Harm” (Saint Joseph’s University 2011). 

 “The greatest human freedom is to live and die according to our own desires and

beliefs.” (Lawatsch, EdD, MSW). Physician-Assisted Suicide is one topic that has been of much

debate and controversy way before our time and one that will continue to be after us. The fight to

get the basic human right that one deserves to die with dignity is one that I know will change in

the future. Terminally ill patients, who meet the medical requirements of Physician-Assisted

suicide, should have the right to die peacefully, on their own terms without government-

mandated obstacles to overcome.

Works Cited 
Kaitlyn Thomas Thomas,11

Professor Kretzer 

ENG 1201 

23 November 2021

Physician–Assisted Suicide
Angela Morrow, RN. “What Are the Arguments for and against Physician-Assisted Suicide?”

Very Well Health, Very Well Health, 2 Jan. 2021,

https://www.verywellhealth.com/opposition-to-physician-assisted-suicide-1132377.  

Brenan, Megan. “Americans' Strong Support for Euthanasia Persists.” Gallup.com, Gallup, 20

Nov. 2021, https://news.gallup.com/poll/235145/americans-strong-support-euthanasia-

persists.aspx.

Daley, John. “If Assisted Suicide Is Legalized, Is That Really Good for the Dying?” Silver

Century Foundation, 11 July 2018, https://www.silvercentury.org/2017/04/if-assisted-

suicide-is-legalized-is-that-really-good-for-the-dying/.   

Hirschhorn, Dan. “Brittany Maynard Terminally Ill Woman Who Planned Assisted Suicide

Dies.” Time, Time, 28 Apr. 2021, https://time.com/3553770/brittany-maynard-dies/.

Maynard, Brittany. “Brittany Maynard.” Compassion & Choices, Compassion & Choices, 30

Oct. 2020, https://www.compassionandchoices.org/stories/brittany-maynard/.

MC, MC. “10 Countries Where Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Are Legal.” TheRichest, 25 Oct.

2014, https://www.therichest.com/most-influential/10-countries-where-euthanasia-and-

assisted-suicide-are-legal/.
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Physician–Assisted Suicide
NBG5058, Penn State. “The Argument Against Assisted Suicide.” Medical Ethics and Health,

16 Mar. 2015, https://sites.psu.edu/mehealth/2015/03/16/arguments-against-assisted-

suicide/comment-page-1/. 

Newstaff, NBC. “Jack Kevorkian, Convicted in Assisted Suicides, Dies at 83.” NBCNews.com,

NBCUniversal News Group, 3 June 2011, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna43265235.

. Org, ProCon. “States with Legal Physician-Assisted Suicide - Euthanasia - Procon.org.”

Euthanasia, BritannicaProCon.org, 18 Feb. 2020, https://euthanasia.procon.org/states-

with-legal-physician-assisted-suicide/.

Rockett, Barbara A. Edited by Tamara Thompson, Physician-Assisted Dying Is Not Ethical,

Gale, a Cengage Company, 2014, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010375232/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=92fb8574. 

Torrey, Trisha. “Weighing the Benefits of Right-to-Die Legislation.” Edited by Elaine Hinzey,

RD, Very Well Health, Very Well Health, 15 Feb. 2020,

https://www.verywellhealth.com/arguments-in-favor-of-death-with-dignity-2614852.  

Thomas, Kaitlyn, and Dr. Malek Safa, MD. “Physician-Assisted Suicide.” 26 Nov. 2021.

Thomas, Kaitlyn, and Elizabeth Murphy, APRN-CNP. “Physician-Assisted Suicide.” 23 Nov.

2021.  
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Physician–Assisted Suicide