Legalize Physician Assisted Suicide

David Montgomery

 

A devoted Catholic educated in both moral theology and social ethics, argues in his article

“A Catholic Perspective on Assisted Suicide by David Montgomery.” that physician assisted suicide (PAS) is immoral because it “goes against our nature.”

 

According to Montgomery it is unthinkable that a person would in their right mind want to throw away their God given gift of life.

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His position that PAS is immoral is understandable as it is an important aspect of the Catholic church. The former Pope, John Paul II wrote in “The Gospel of Life.” that suicide is “a gravely immoral act.”

 

Montgomery's conclusion that PAS is immoral is completely understandable based upon the teaching of his faith.

 

However, the morality of the Catholic church or any other church should not dictate public policy. This is supported by the doctrine of separation of church and state which prevents religious institutions from influencing public policy in America.

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Terminally ill would rather live than die

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Montgomery's mention of PAS going against nature because wanting to die is not natural is correct.

 

However, what Montgomery does not realize is that those who want to undergo PAS generally do not want to die. Margaret Battin, a Professor of Philosophy and Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah wrote the article “'Death with Dignity': is it suicide?”

 

Battin argues that those who elect PAS genuinely do not want to die. Battin considers people electing PAS as wanting to achieve “self-preservation, self-protection from a future that could be much worse.”

 

The person who wants to undergo PAS is choosing PAS not to simply end their life but because they feel that it is the best option they have. Given the ability to cure their terminal illness or live their remaining life with dignity and happiness, it is likely all would choose that over PAS.

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This idea that people who elect to undergo PAS, do not want to die is echoed in the numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Taking Oregon as an example, the top two leading concerns for those who underwent PAS were loss of autonomy and loss of ability, as 89.5% of those who underwent PAS listed them as at least one of their reasons for wanting to undergo PAS. Not one person listed a 'desire to die' as a reason for wanting to undergo PAS.