Physicians all over the world oppose assisted suicide. This week physicians from Hawaii are rallying against assisted suicide, preparing testimony to oppose its legalization and holding a forum at their state’s Capitol.
In an article published on the Hawaii Free Press, Hawaiian physicians outline points that show the tragic consequences of legalizing assisted suicide:
Points to consider:
In spite of an almost complete lack of administrative transparency in Oregon, where PAS is legal, reports of a variety of problems have leaked out. There have been some highly publicized instances where patients were denied treatment coverage by the Oregon Health Plan and were offered suicide drugs instead.
There will be unintended consequences and new victims if we legalize PAS. This was recognized by the New York Governor’s Task Force on PAS, still one of the most thorough public policy reviews of the issue. Their report, When Death is Sought: Assisted Suicide from a Medical Perspective, is available on line.
Major studies show that changing public policy in this area could not adequately address the potential abuse problems.
Polls used by proponents that claim that 73% -75% favor PAS are unreliable and methodologically suspect. In fact, people have become increasingly concerned about the potential for abuse since the push for legalization began.
Doctor-assisted suicide emerges as the most controversial cultural issue in Gallup’s 2011 Values and Beliefs poll, with Americans divided 48% (morally wrong) vs. 45% (morally acceptable). The number of people favoring doctor-assisted suicide has fallen from a high of 53% in 2004 to a low of 45% in 2011. Individuals who are 55 and over are the least likely to favor doctor-assisted suicide.
The close division of opinion over PAS makes it is even more important for those who understand and appreciate the dangers of legalization to become involved.
See the full article here: