Many people die painful deaths. If a poll were taken, on how many people would like death to be 1) slow and painful, 2) quick and painless or 3) slow and painless. I cannot imagine anyone not choosing painless. Severe illness takes its toll on all, the patient, the doctor, family and friends. This illness can be long term illness or a traumatic injury, due to an accident. Patients begin to fell overwhelmed with pain and memories of the life they use to have and will never have again. They feel helpless and they feel that have or will become a burden on their families, emotionally and financially. Because they cannot see past the present situation, even those who are not terminally ill become depressed. This is the time when thoughts of ending life occur. The patient then begins to seek assistance from doctors or others.
Doctors who have taken an oath to heal and preserve life are now being asked to assist in ending it or just to let it end. This goes against their profession not to mention their beliefs. We must consider their behaviors of avoidance with patients whom they can not "fix" or make better. Those who are going to die with or without medical treatment. Those where medical treatment will only prolong the inevitable, death. These patients are already feeling multiple anxieties only to have the doctors distance to add to them.
What about that patient who will not die with treatment, but will not get better, just maintain their present state, which to them is much of nothing. Is it going against the doctor's medical oath to just let nature take its course.
What about the patients' right to die, who will not die with or without treatment, but whose life will never be the same. This brings up the question is quantity better than quality. People often feel that quality is better when that is what they are use to. They do not feel that quantity existence is even an option. But is it a doctor's place to assist when life or death is not the issue.
Many people have trouble with death. They find it hard to accept even when medical treatment is received until the very end. These people feel that it is a doctor's responsibility to do all that he can even when it becomes futile. Others believe it is ok to end treatment, when nothing else can be done. Still, others feel that it is ok to ease the pain and anguish of those who have made known that they prefer quality life over quantity.
Morals play a key role in what we as individuals feel are right. Many people feel that it is a person right to die, but at the same time would not like to be the one who make that decision for them or even assist in doing it.
The question does a person has a the "right to die" has been in the courts for years. At present all fifty states including the District of Columbia have laws authorizing the use of some type of advance notice, e.g.,(living wills and/or medical powers of attorney). This gives the patient authority before an event to express their wish for quality life and not quantity. It also gives others, usually a family member the right to express the patients wishes at a time when they are unable to do so, if the questions arise on how to treat medically.
At this present date any kind of assistance, such as, physician assisted suicide is currently prohibited by law, but permitted under severe restrictions, only in the state of Oregon and in the Netherlands.