The Right to Die

The Right to Die

Who supports this?

What is the Right to Die?

• The Netherlands became the first modern industrialized nation to fully sanction physician-assisted suicide in 2002.

• Germany does not allow active assisted suicide, but the law does allow it as long as the drug is taken without any help from physicians

• In 2002 Belgium followed the Netherlands and became the 2nd western nation to legalize physician assisted suicide

• The United States allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients to "aid in dying" in only 5 states. (Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, and California

The belief that individuals have the autonomy to make fundamental decisions about their own lives, including the timing and manner of their death.

What Does it Mean to Die with Dignity?

Euthanasia: The intentional, painless act of ending a person's life to relieve incurable suffering.

People who consider euthanasia or medical aid in dying often do so following a long period of reflection on their current and future quality of life. This includes loss of autonomy and control, physical and mental suffering, loss of dignity, and fear of future suffering.

Active Euthanasia: Requires actions that speed the process of dying

What's required?

• The patient must be mentally competent adults (18+) with a terminal illness. Usually have 6 or less months to live

• The patient must be approved by 2 physicians

• The patient must be capable of self administering medication

• The request must be voluntary, often requiring 2 oral requests separated by a waiting period and a written request too.

• The patient must be physically able to ingest the medication theirselves

Involuntary Euthanasia: Ignores the individual's autonomous rights and could potentially bring about the death of an unwilling victim