Dalrymple reports on a recent survey:
There were 1,712 votes from 39 of the United States and 2,356 votes from 74 other countries. Overall the votes were similar in the U.S. and abroad: 67 percent of American doctors, and 65 percent of foreign ones, were against and 33 and 35 percent, respectively, were for.
There were 11 countries, however, in which a majority of voters were in favor (with Mexico in the lead), and 18 of the 39 American states. Interestingly, Oregon and Washington were not among the former, though they are the two states in which physician-assisted suicide is actually legal…
The voters were allowed to record briefly their reasons for their vote. The main argument for is that doctors have a duty to relieve suffering as well as prolong life. A less good reason given, indeed one that seems to me senseless, was that if physicians assist at birth they ought also to assist at death. Those against used the familiar argument from the slippery slope. We are all of us dying from the moment of conception; why should the mortally ill alone be spared the pain of continued existence? And if assisted suicide is a right, who has the corresponding obligation to provide it?
When you use a loaded word like suicide you presuppose the answer.
Calling things by their name usually presupposes the answer.
Also:
“The main argument for is that doctors have a duty to relieve suffering as well as prolong life.”
The patient’s suffering will not be “relieved”, because the patient DIES.
“The patient’s suffering will not be “relieved”, because the patient DIES.”
Uh, no, you moron: the patient’s suffering WILL be relieved because the patient dies. How many dead suffering people have you encountered?
Hi Eli. We try to be respectful around here, so we would appreciate it if you would not call other people morons. Thank you for contributing.