In 1997 the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against a constitutional right to assisted suicide or euthanasia. Since the ruling three more states passed laws specifically criminalizing physician-assisted suicide, joining the 35 states that already have these statutes (Ezekiel 2). Currently, United States criminal law classifies mercy killings as murder (Urofsky 96). Legislation is trying to federally control substanc!.
es that at lethal levels are intended to assist suicides, because of Oregon's Death with Dignity Act. .
Opposition Views.
The debate on legalizing assisted suicide began intensely in the 1970's. On one side the debate have been patients" rights groups, lobbying for what they call the right to choose to die. The strongest opposition has come from physicians" groups such as the American Medical Association and religious groups that are morally opposed to the practice (Death 26). Opponents maintain that medicine should remain a profession dedicated to healing. Legalizing euthanasia presents problems in legal, moral, ethical, and medical issues. The three major arguments against euthanasia include the sanctity of life argument, the slippery slope, and the danger of abuse. The sanctity of human life argument emphasizes the sacredness of our culture prohibition against killing. The slippery slope argument envisions the legalization of voluntary euthanasia leading to forms of involuntary euthanasia and a devaluation of human life. The danger of abuse argument predicts the coercion of patients by their families, doctors, or health care workers to request euthanasia and disregard the guidelines. Power may then be extended to allow euthanasia where the patient is not in pain but wishes to die for other reasons, including a deterioration of quality of life, the loss of dignity, or the wish not to burden his family financially with a prolonged hospital or nursing home stay.
