The case against physician assisted suicide

• Published in: Community mental health journal Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 5 - 14
• Main Author: BOEHNLEIN, J. K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01.02.1999; Behavioral Publications, etc; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Assisted suicide; Bioethics; Biological and medical sciences; Decision making; Doctors; Ethics; Euthanasia; Health economics; Humans; Medical ethics; Medical sciences; Medical technology; Pain; Patients; Personal Autonomy; Physicians; Power; Professional identity; Psychiatrists; Psychiatry; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Public Policy; Society; Suicide, Assisted; Teaching. Deontology. Ethics. Legislation; Human; Physician patient relation; Health staff; Physician; Social role; Assisted suicide; Occupational role; Case history; Public health; Death and Euthanasia
• ISSN: 0010-3853; 1573-2789
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1018739807708

Physician assisted suicide (PAS) engenders debate about the meaning of professional identity, what is proper in the doctor/patient relationship, and the physician's appropriate role in society. Polarization on PAS largely arises from different views on what defines compassion in relieving pain and suffering, and the proper balance between individual autonomy and social imperatives. This paper discusses the ethical, social and economic arguments against PAS, including a historical perspective on other socially-sanctioned inappropriate uses of medical technology and expertise. This paper maintains that a truly dignified death does not come at the hand of a physician-healer, despite compelling arguments that it is a compassionate act.