The

Right to Die and Physician assisted suicide

The Right to Die and Physician assisted suicide.

Who Has the Final Say in Life or Death?

Bryan Maalouf

Salt Lake Community College

The Right to Die and Physician assisted suicide

Abstract
Modern medicine has evolved to a stage that no one could have predicted we
would achieve in our lifetime. Doctors, surgeons, and physicians are using
modern medicine to extend patients lives well beyond expiration dates set by
doctors when diagnosing a terminal illness. Currently, in 45 of 50 states it is
illegal for physicians to prescribe drugs that would be used to aid in ending
life. This may seem like an absurd thought to you, but many people seek this
treatment as a way to keep their dignity when they lose their independence
and feel that theyve become a burden on family, or when terminal illness
will cause excessive pain and suffering and could last for an extended period
of time before death.

Reasoning

Maynard found out this spring she has the most lethal form of brain

cancer. Doctors told her she may only have six months to live. Her medication has
drastically changed her appearance, but she's decided to forgo aggressive
treatment and die, as she puts it, with dignity. J. Crawford (2014) At the age of
29, Maynard had received a diagnosis of stage two brain cancer. Surgeons would
operate and remove the tumor, and she would have 5 years left to live. Before her
diagnosis, Brittney was having frequent, unexplainable debilitating headaches.
She had no prior health issues and as far as her friends and family were
concerned, she was healthy.

The Right to Die and Physician assisted suicide

90 days went by after her diagnosis, when it was time for a follow up. Doctors
reviewed an MRI and found that she had regressed. Her cancer had spread and is
now stage 4 with Glioblastoma Multiforme, the most aggressive and most fatal type
of brain cancer. Cancer had come back, and spread to more of her brain. She was
given 3 months to live. Brittneys headaches became more severe. Since becoming
terminally ill, she has made a bucket list of places to travel with her husband in an
effort to fulfill her dreams in the little time she has left before she succumbs to her
illness.

Living Life, Knowing The End is Near.

Brittney had been informed on what the illness would do to her, and the imminent
effects that it would have on her brain, body, and life. She had opted to move from
her home in California to Oregon where physician assisted suicide is legal to seek
out treatment. She did not want to succumb to her illness and wanted to have the
option of dying on her own terms, with dignity. J. Crawford (2014) In her eyes, she's
not the one ending her life. B. Maynard (2014) "Cancer is ending my life," she said. "I
am choosing to end it a little sooner and in a lot less pain and suffering."
Because the rest of my body is young and healthy, I am likely to physically hang
on for a long time even though cancer is eating my mind. I probably would have suffered
in hospice care for weeks or even months. And my family would have had to watch that.
I did not want this nightmare scenario for my family, so I started researching death with
dignity. It is an end-of-life option for mentally competent, terminally ill patients with a

The Right to Die and Physician assisted suicide

prognosis of six months or less to live. It would enable me to use the medical practice of
aid in dying: I could request and receive a prescription from a physician for medication
that I could self-ingest to end my dying process if it becomes unbearable. I quickly
decided that death with dignity was the best option for me and my family. (B. Maynard
Para 4 (2014) Britney held onto her life ending prescription for weeks, until she felt that
it was time for her to end her life. She died at home, with her family, friends, and her
doctor by her side on November 2, 2014.

Rebuttal.
While in some cases, Physician assisted suicide is argued to be a dangerous move if it is
broadened to more than just a few states. Lawmakers and Ethical groups raise valid
concern and question when it comes to the topic. J.J. Hanson (2016 Page 2, Para 1)
"If you have a full legalization across the United States, people like me will start to look
at assisted suicide as their only alternative," he replied. "I was told twice by doctors,
'Your time is done.' They told me basically that I was dead. Where does your hope go?"
J.J. Hanson was 33 years old, and a healthy veteran of the U.S. Marine core and had
unexplainable seizures and symptoms similar to the headaches Britney Maynard
experienced. He was given an MRI and it was confirmed he had brain cancer. Hanson
was given a maximum of 1 year to live after surgery and chemotherapy. He was informed
of the option to relocate from New York, to Oregon and apply for assisted suicide drugs
if he chooses, and also what his future would be like as he would succumb to his illness,

The Right to Die and Physician assisted suicide

The Fight for Life

CBS News (2016) Stated, After he briefly contemplated ending his own life, Hanson is
still fighting. Almost two years after his diagnosis, he's finished his chemo, and he heads
the Patient Rights' Action Fund AGAINST aid in dying. J. Hanson (2016 P 2 Para 2) "If
you're looking at someone who is very poor, and this is the only alternative they have
because their insurance company will not fund their chemotherapy, well, now it starts to
become a problem."

In the Light
Hanson survived cancer, and never gave up. We may never know what was different
between his case and Brittney Maynard. The difference between the two is that he didnt
believe in giving in and letting cancer rule his life. Assisted suicide is a choice that
should be the patients right to either receive or deny. Currently because of Brittney
Maynard, assisted suicide is becoming legal in the state of California in 2016. She
brought enough awareness for the public to see the good in modern medicine and the
right for patients to choose their fate. Its slowly making progress around the country, and
its bringing awareness to many other notable causes that infringe upon patients right to
choose.

The Right to Die and Physician assisted suicide

Sources Cited

CBS News Arguing the Right to Die

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dying-wish-arguing-the-right-to-die/2/

CNN (2014) My Right to Death With Dignity at 29, By Brittany Maynard Nov 2, 2014
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/opinion/maynard-assisted-suicide-cancer-dignity/

J. Crawford (2014) Brittany Maynard Doesnt Want to Die By Jan Crawford

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brittany-maynard-dying-with-dignity-before-cancertakes-her-life/

J.J. Hanson (2016) Arguing the Right to Die

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dying-wish-arguing-the-right-to-die/2/