1. Assisted Suicide
by Carli Salvati

2. Overview Assisted Suicide…
Someone helping an ill person to take their own life
They can help this person by providing the means to commit the act
Often times takes place between a physician or doctor and a patient
Assisted suicide is a debatable topic and the laws concerning it differ around the world

3. Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia
Commonly confused
Euthanasia – the drug is administered by a physician
Assisted Suicide – the drug is given to the patient by the doctor, but they do not take it with the doctor present

4. History 4th Century B.C. – The Hippocratic Oath
States “I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan”
Reports of assisted suicide date back to the late 1980’s
1989 – doctor Jack Kevorikan was convicted of practicing assisted suicide with over 45 patients
1994 – Oregon passed the “Death With Dignity Act”
1997 – Supreme Court ruled that if they cannot physically kill themselves they have no Constitutional right to end their lives

5. Laws Laws are different all over the world
Most places assisted suicide as well as euthanasia are illegal
Can result in a revocation of the physician’s medical license
Examples:
In Sweden there is no law against it, but the doctor can be charged with manslaughter
In Norway assisted suicide is considered an “accessory to murder”
Luxembourg – Suicide is legal, so assisted suicide is not illegal, however a doctor can be charged for “failing to assist someone in danger”
United Kingdom – one can receive up to 14 years in prison for assisting suicide

6. Process
Places where assisted suicide is legal such as Oregon and the Netherlands have specific processes to follow if the act takes place.
The patient is given a lethal drug upon request.
Usually barbiturates which can cost up to $1,000 per dose, and is not covered my insurance
The doctor cannot administer the drug themselves (euthanasia)
Common drugs that are given include
Morphine
Seconal (depressant)

7. United States
Most states such as New York, Pennsylvania and Alabama it is illegal
Considered homicide
Certain states such as Massachusetts and Idaho have no laws against assisted suicide however, it is prohibited under the common law

8. Oregon Different from every other state in the U.S.
One of the only places in the world that allows physician-assisted suicide
“Death With Dignity Act”
Requires an annual statistical report about the patients.

9. Death With Dignity Act Patient must be 18 years or older
Oregon resident
Must be suffering from a terminal disease that will end their life within six months
Must make one written and two oral requests
Fill out required forms and be confirmed as having the capacity to make decisions and be informed about the procedure
This law does not “authorize a physician or any other person to end a patient’s life by lethal injection, mercy killing or active euthanasia”
Prescription for medication to end their life
There must be an annual report made which summarize everything that happened

10. Viewpoints - positive
Many people feel that assisted suicide is a right
Can help the terminally ill patient from experience prolonging pain
Organs can be saved
Patients can die with dignity
Health care costs can be reduced
Laws can be put in place that would allow no one to abuse the act
Family’s pain may be reduced

11. Exit International
Non profit organization that supports euthanasia and assisted suicide
Founded by Dr. Philip Nitschke in 1997
Most memebers are about 75, healthy
Believe in the personal rights to take their own life
Public meetings to educate about laws and discuss and debate political rights
Research different approaches to assisted suicide
The Peaceful Pill Handbook

12. Viewpoints - negative Violates the Hippocratic Oath
Goes against the views and values of many religions
Doctors are given to much power, and begin to make unethical decisions
Doctors and families may give up on recovery

13. Personal Opinion
I fully support assisted suicide under appropriate conditions
It allows an ill person to be taken out of their misery
Less overcrowding in hospitals
It should be monitored and there should be a specific process to insure that it is being carried out properly

14. Work cited http://www.assistedsuicide.org/suicide_laws.html (laws)
(differences)
(Exit International)
(history)
(laws)
(history)
(process)
(Death With Dignity Act)
(pros and cons)