Physician Assisted Suicide: A Dangerous Undertaking

As Connecticut state director for the American Academy of Medical Ethics (www.ethicalhealthcare.org), I've created this blog to enlighten the public and our legislators about the dangers of Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS); dangers to patients, physicians, families and society in Connecticut, and any other state.  Here in Connecticut, three attempts to pass such legislation were turned back.  In 2016, the proponents of this dangerous measure elected to stand down their efforts and regroup, but they will likely be back in 2017.

• Suicide is not illegal.  It is tragic, to be sure, but this is not about giving patients the right to die, but giving physicians the right to kill.  It destroys the trust in your doctor that has been in place for thousands of years; trust that they are your healer and not your killer.  Society is suddenly reverting back 2500 years, to the time of Hippocrates, when you didn't know if your physician would heal or kill you.  It all depended on who paid the most money.  
• This tragic act can be accomplished without ever having to notify the family.  How would you like to get a call to find out that your mom, dad, brother or sister took lethal pills and you never knew about the decision?!  Can you imagine the grief and remorse that follows discovering it too late?
• Think about the effect on society as human life is devalued.  With the high price of healthcare, especially in the last years of life, society and insurers begin deciding that a handful of pills is cheaper than the alternative.  
• Don't ignore the same trend that happened in other countries:  it will go from a handful of pills supplied by your doctor to a doctor giving lethal injections - the definition of euthanasia.  
• It will go from the terminally ill to the chronically ill; from the physically ill to the mentally ill.
• It will go from voluntary to involuntary euthanasia.
• It will culminate in the euthanization of children - which is already happening in other countries.  
• Netherlands is currently debating legislation to allow assisted suicide for those who are tired of living and feel their life is complete.
• Once you say that there are lives not worthy to live - where do you draw the line?