Assisted Suicide – Something To Die For? The moral implications of assisted suicide

Our Moral Standpoint In our group, we believe that assisted suicide is acceptable in cases of terminal illness, a state of vegetative comatose under the family’s consent, and constant, unending pain.

The Facts Assisted suicide is legal in three states: Washington, Montana, and Oregon. By public opinion, assisted suicide is the most controversial subject, with both sides almost evenly divided. There have been many court cases against the right to aid in assisted suicide, including Washington v. Glucksberg and Vacco v. Quill. Based on a recent study, 57% of physicians practicing today have received a request for physician- assisted suicide in some form or another. Subjects involved include the person who wants to be killed, a doctor, and sometimes a family member. Assisted suicide is occurring across the world.

Views From Our Community The Church disapproves because we are created in God’s image and, because of the commandment of “Thou Shall Not Kill”, we see that we cannot kill people on whim. Our friends say if the person has a deadly disease they should be put out of their misery. Our families say that there should be many stages of therapy before a decision, but they would do anything for our happiness and well-being, even if it meant killing. Our trusted advisors are against it because the death of another on someone’s conscience is unbearable. Jesus would pray for us and then send us up to God in Heaven. Since He loves us, he wouldn’t let us suffer on Earth. There are many legal issues involved, many of which are still in court today.

A Real World Example Matthew Donnelly is one example of an assisted suicide turned court case. Matthew was diagnosed with skin cancer and started to lose body parts including his nose, his left hand, two fingers on his right hand, and parts of his jaw. He was then told he had only one year left to live. Plagued with severe amounts of unbearable pain, he decided that he wanted to die. His brother, who finally excepted his plea, took a gun and fatally shot Matthew in the head. He is now on trial for murder. Was it ethically justified for Matthew’s brother to kill Matthew?

“Dr. Death” Jack Kevorkian, , (also known as “Dr. Death”) was an influential front-runner in the campaign to support assisted suicide. He supposedly killed 130 terminally ill people. He used fatal drugs, chemicals, or carbon monoxide to end lives. He was imprisoned for 20 years for 2 nd Degree Murder. Famous quote: “Dying is not a crime.”

Possible Solutions 1. Action: We could let someone slowly die until their natural time comes. Consequence: Person will die in lots of pain 2. We could “pull the plug” and end suffering. Consequence: The person will die with minimal pain. However, some cure could be found after the person’s death and we would live with the guilt of another's life on our conscience, but know that we ended suffering. Therapy and family conversations could be used to reach both decisions.

Turning Inward Although out gut reaction was “no”, upon further contemplation, we wouldn’t want our family and friends to suffer. Putting ourselves in another’s shoes, if we were the person who had to “pull the plug” for a close family member, we would do it after reassurance that there was no recovery. We need God’s help to form a decision.

Prayer to God Dear GOD, Enrich our minds as we make difficult decisions about the well- being of our family and friends. Help me to make a decision that is fair and just, and is respectful to YOUR Holy Kingdom. Be with the person who is passing into Heaven. Amen

Creative Poem To GOD Dear God, Help us to make a fair choice, So that others may hear you voice, Be in our minds, hearts, and souls, So that we may reach our goals. AMEN

Works Cited Andre, Claire, and Manuel Velasquez. "Assisted Suicide: A Right or a Wrong?" Assisted Suicide: A Right or a Wrong? Web. 14 May Schneider, Keith. "Dr. Jack Kevorkian Dies at 83." - The New York Times- Dr. Jack Kevorkian Dies at June Web. 14 May Gregory, Wilton D. "Catholic Update © Why the Church Opposes Assisted Suicide by Wilton D. Gregory, S.L.D." Catholic Update ©1997. Web. 14 May Saad, Lydia. "Doctor-Assisted Suicide Is Moral Issue Dividing Americans Most." Doctor-Assisted Suicide Is Moral Issue Dividing Americans Most. 31 May Web. 14 May