Assisted Dying Ethics

Without understanding the compassion for assisted dying, it’s a challenge to get past the stigma. Opponents assert it’s unethical, but in reality, assisted dying is the basis to having a righteous ending. When we grant people the right to die, we promise them a dignified death. By offering a choice we give way to an escape from the pain, and the unnecessary suffering that would otherwise lead to the same fate. There’s more to the surface than just life and death. The mindset that goes behind it is what it means to have a dignified death. The morality over assisted dying is based on the quality of life. John Hofsess, Canadian writer and right to die activist, was sure of what he valued in life. At age 78, he was diagnosed with not one, but
two terminal illnesses. To Hofsess this was not a life worth enduring. With an unstable heart, he knew the future would be grim. This prompted the right to die activist to seek help elsewhere. John Hofsess had to move away to Switzerland, where he could legally die with the help of others. “... in the company of good people,” as he said (Hofsess). It’s upsetting to think that an grey-haired man had to go overseas to receive the support he desired. Law reflects the morality of society (“Morality and Law”). A study in Washington (where physician-assisted suicide is legal) showed that over 90% of participants value quality of life over sanctity. Meanwhile, 82% reported they would be unhappy if unable to do everyday things without assistance. These individuals believe that chronic pain, along with dependency and helplessness, would be reasons to consider assisted suicide (Engdahl). Assisted dying no longer carries the negative stigma it once did. In unfortunate circumstances such as a terminal-illness, we are forced to reevaluate our subjective well-being.
In light of our best interests we focus on the priorities in life.
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, “dignity” is defined as: the quality of being worthy of honor or respect. An alternate use of the word means: a way of behaving that shows seriousness and self-control. Dying with dignity is exactly that. Giving terminally-ill patients a choice offers them the chance to exert self-control over their lives. If these patients decide that their time is not tolerable and reasonable, then they should have the option to end their lives on their own terms. Without meaning, its sacredness or length is no longer relevant. It is argued that we have the right to seek mercy from a doctor—to preserve autonomy (Shala, Gusha).The core of assisted dying is the capability to decide for ourselves, exercising free
will.
For someone who practices medicine, the ultimate goal is to alleviate suffering throughout the course of life. In spite of this fact, in 44 states, people cannot carry out the compassionate death that we might wish upon ourselves. Author Kenneth W. Phifer explains the importance of having the help necessary to ensure a good, gentle ending. “If loved ones and professionals are able and willing to cooperate with us,” Phifer argues, “... the moment of our death can truly be full of love,”(Engdahl). This is an idea John Hofsess would’ve agreed with.
He dedicated a significant part of his life in search of a better way to provide people with a comfortable, dignified death. Hofsess believed, “There’s a great deal of suffering in the world about which I could do nothing, but there’s one critical area, at the end of life, where I could help,” (Hofsess). This way of thinking should be applied to assisted dying.
With current legal resistance, patients are sometimes forced to resort to unpleasant, and potentially dangerous methods of suicide.
Percy Bridgman, a Nobel prize-winning physicist, shot himself to escape the final stages of terminal cancer. He left a note, echoing a strong message: “It is not decent for society to make a man do this to himself. Probably this is the last day I will be able to do it myself,” (Engdahl). TRANSITION Ill with lung cancer and severe arthritis, among other ailments, Poet Al Purdy seeked help in ending his suffering. “Every day is agonizing, I’m fed up with dying slowly,” he confessed. Over the course of a year, John Hofsess and Al Purdy discussed every detail of assisted suicide. Purdy would eventually entrust Hofsess with his death—as one would entrust a physician. In
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