Question

Short Philosophical essay, 300 to 400 words,

If somebody is suffering from non-fatal illness but its causing unhappiness and person is depressed, should they be, voluntary, permitted to assisted suicide, PAS. Provide supporting points for your side.

Answer 1

Physician Assisted Suicide:

Assisted suicide is a type of suicide with the help of another person. Physician Assisted Suicide ( PAS) is the suicide of a terminally ill person with the help of a physician. From the definition of PAS itself, it is clear that , only terminally ill patient can seek the help for PAS. If someone is suffering from a non - fatal illness , but it is causing unhappiness and the person is depressed, he will not be permitted for PAS, as PAS is legalized in certain states and countries only for the terminally ill patients.  

Most of the countries in the world are against to Physician Assisted Suicide ( PAS) also known as Physician assisted death or Assisted dying etc. In this usually physician's role is limited to a prescription writing for a lethal dose of drugs. In many jurisdictions, in United States, Physician assisted Suicide is a crime, as helping a person for suicide death is considering as an offence like manslaughter.

Certain Countries and some jurisdictions in the US are permitting PAS, but under certain strict criteria, such as:

* terminal illness

* Sound mind of the patient, who demands gor PAS

* Voluntarily and repeatedly expressing their wish to die

* The patient who asked for PAS, has to take the lethal dose of drugs by themselves.

The countries that legalized the PAS are, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Columbia, Luxemburg , Canada , Victoria state in Australia and some of the states in United States. The patients who are willing for PAS, has to meet the above said criteria to permit them legally for the Assisted death.  

In US , the following jurisdictions are legalized the PAS also called as Medical Aid in dying.

California, Hawaii, District of Columbia, Oregon, Vermont,Montana , Washington, New Jersey, Maine.But these States are strictly prohibiting the misuse of the Act for any purpose of Suicide, Euthanasia or any homicide.

One person is suffering with non fatal illness and he is unhappy and depressed, then he can't approach the healthcare setting for Assisted suicide. It is illegal. The Act that legalize ' Medical aid in dying' in these jurisdictions are strictly reserved this law for the patients who is suffering with terminal illness, who has to suffer chronic pain, and whose quality of life is deteriorating day by day. Other remaining states are not legalized the Medical aid in dying. The patient, who is approaching for PAS, has to have a Sound mind to take decisions and to understand that the decision is right or wrong. The above scenario ( question) , the person is unhappy and depressed. So a Psychiatric Doctors has to certify that he is in sound mind. Otherwise he has to take treatment for his depression and as well as his Non - fatal illness.