What are your thoughts on physician assisted suicide?

It is bad for the individual and for society.

"We were wrong, says former regulator of Dutch euthanasia" http://www.mercatornet.com/careful/view/14424

As Christians, we believe that human life is a sacred gift from God to be cherished and respected because every human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26).

In heeding God’s command, "Thou shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13), we recognize that we cannot end of our lives or the lives of others as we please. We must respect and protect the dignity of human from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

Both euthanasia and assisted suicide violate God's commandment not to kill.

Euthanasia occurs when a doctor or medical staff person administers a lethal dose of medication with the intention of killing the patient.

Assisted suicide occurs when a doctor or medical staff person prescribes a lethal amount of medication with the intent of helping a person commit suicide. The patient then takes the dose or turns the switch.

We also recognize the need for the proper management of pain. Modern medicine provides effective treatments for pain that guarantees that no one will suffer a painful death. No one needs to escape pain by seeking death.

Suicidal wishes among the terminally ill are due to treatable depression similar to that of other suicidal people. If we address their pain, depression and other problems, then there is generally no more talk of suicide.

Repercussions of Assisted Suicide

+ The patient seriously, possibly completely, damages his or her relationship with God.

+ Anyone assisting a suicide gravely endangers his or her spiritual, psychological, and emotional well-being including family members and medical professionals.

+ Corruption of the medical profession: whose ethical code calls on physicians to serve life and never to kill. The American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and dozens of other medical groups argue that the power to assist in taking patients’ lives is "a power that most health-care professionals do not want and could not control.”

+ Society will more and more disregards the dignity of human life.

Possible Corruptions

+ Exploitation of the marginalized: The poor, the elderly, minorities, those who lack health insurance would be the first to feel pressure to die.

+ Cost control: Patients with long term or expensive illnesses and considered economic liabilities would be encouraged die.

+ Rebirth of historical prejudices: Many able-bodied people, including some physicians, say they would "rather be dead than disabled." Such prejudices could easily lead families, physicians, and society to encourage death for people who are depressed and emotionally vulnerable as they adjust to life with a serious illness or disability.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2270 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2a...

http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0...

Here is a nice article: http://www.the-tidings.com/2009/121809/benson.htm

With love in Christ.

If someone is going to die then letting them go comfortably is a much better idea than having them in a hospice on tons of drugs and in pain dragging their last days out.

I voted for it it my State (Oregon). I think it's a good option that an intelligent human being can make his own decision concerning his own death. There hasn't been an excessive amount of these assisted suicides or people flocking to Oregon to die like they're flocking to Colorado to get high. I'm not familiar with all the requirements, but it's not a slam dunk. You have to be diagnosed as terminally ill and there has to be witnesses to it being your decision.

Support it.