"Supporters prefer the term “death with dignity” or “aid in dying,” arguing that because the terminally ill already are dying, “assisted suicide” mischaracterizes their choice. Opponents, who view the procedure as suicide, note that the Oregon, Washington and likely to be enacted Vermont laws require only a physician's diagnosis that a patient is going to die within six months. That is too far out to know when the end will occur, and thus those who take lethal doses of medicine are choosing to end their lives prematurely, the opponents contend. Physician-assisted suicide is the term most used by the media." (P.64)

"None of that would have happened, he wrote, if assisted suicide had been available when he was initially told he had the disease. “If, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I had been given an easy way out with a doctor's prescription and support, I would have taken that opportunity,” he said. “I would have missed the bulk of my life.” (P.9)

"Decisions about sustaining life, allowing it to end or even hastening death are among the most difficult choices terminally ill patients and their families can face. Such decisions also are at the heart of a debate about what is commonly called “physician-assisted suicide” — or “aid-in-dying” by supporters."Oregon and Washington — and now likely Vermont — allow physicians to write a prescription for lethal drugs if requested by someone who is terminally ill and mentally competent. A Montana court also has allowed the procedure. Supporters of assisted suicide say it allows the terminally ill to avoid unnecessary suffering and meet death on their own terms, and they say safeguards in the laws prevent abuse of the procedure. But opponents say assisted suicide devalues life, opens patients to exploitation by relatives or others and could lead to widespread euthanasia of the sick and vulnerable.(P.1)

How Assisted Suicide can change someones mind

The difference between AS and Euthanasia

What Assisted Suicide Means

The differences between America and Netherlands Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Each of the case reports included the identical statement that "the physician had informed the patient sufficiently about his/her situation and his/her prospects". However, there was no information about how the patients were helped to understand their situation, or whether any adjustments needed to be made to support understanding. One patient (case 2015-24) was said to have been "sufficiently informed at her own level". There is an indication in one case (2013-22) that the physician tried and failed to help the patient understand the nature of her symptoms (flashing lights due to eye disease)." (P.29)

"The question of whether people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder need particular attention with regards to EAS is an important one - whether in relation to debates around putting in place EAS legislation or in relation to EAS requests from vulnerable persons in jurisdictions that have such legislation in place. The principle that people with disabilities must not be treated differently on the basis of their disability is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, firmly rejecting an approach where disability automatically disqualifies a person from making decisions. However, because of the serious and irrevocable nature of EAS, it could be argued that vulnerable people need special protection. There is thus a moral tension between people's right to autonomy on the one hand and the need to prevent harm on the other." (P.12)

"People fall within the definition of having an intellectual disability if they have a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information and to learn and apply new skills (impaired intelligence), resulting in a significantly reduced ability to cope independently (impaired adaptive and/or social functioning), which begins before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development. Autism spectrum disorder is a complex and usually lifelong developmental disorder that can cause problems with thinking, feeling, and language, characterized by persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction. Although autism spectrum disorders are common among people with intellectual disabilities, not all people with autistic spectrum disorder have an intellectual disability. Asperger's syndrome, for example, is a type of autism that is characterized by average or above-average intelligence." (P.8)

Discussing the topic of Death with Dignity with your Physician and your family

Knowing when its the right time to take the medication

How the Death with Dignity Laws break down and the Requirements

Death with dignity laws allow qualified terminally-ill adults to voluntarily request and receive a prescription medication to hasten their death. As of September 2019, aid in dying statues are in effect in: California, Colorado,District of Columbia, Hawaii,Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. In Montana, physician-assisted dying has been legal by state Supreme Court ruling since 2009. To qualify for a prescription under physician-assisted dying lawa, you must be a resident of California, Colorado, DOC, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, or Washington and must be 18 years or older and meantally competent, capable of making and communicating your health care decisions and diagnoses with a terminal illness that will, within resonable medical judgement, lead to death within six months. You must also be able to self-administer and ingest the prescribed medication. All of these requirements must be met without exception. You will not qualify under aid-in-dying laws solely because of age or disability. Two physicians must determine whether all these criteria have been met. (P.1& under Eligibility)

It is important to discuss your end-of-life wishes with your physician as early as possible. The benefit of doing this even if you are healthy is that if your physician does not share your values on this subject, you will have the chance to look for a willing physician while you still have the energy and time to do so. (It may take at least 3-4 weeks to go through the process under death with dignity laws from the first oral request to filling the prescription). The best time for this conversation is when you provide your physician with a copy of your advance directive or discuss the use of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, a non-hospital medical order for people with serious illnesses. If you raise the issue after receiving a terminal diagnosis, your physician may be less receptive.It is important to have this discussion with your physician in person. Do not ask their office staff, nurse, or assistant or leave a request on their voice mail. Above all, avoid demanding your physician’s assistance. Under death with dignity laws your physician is not required to participate and may have valid reasons for declining. Every family is different, and many families have strained relations. However, even if there has been little communication for years, the months or weeks before death is a time when many people attempt to open up to each other. It is amazing how many families come around to reestablish communication, and offer support, as they learn what their relative is struggling with. It is truly in the best interest of those who will be left behind that you tell your family what you are planning, and give them the option to accept or reject it, or to work out personal past differences. This helps those family members cope better after you die, as they have some good, positive memories.Even if your family cannot support you or what you are choosing to do, by starting the dialogue you have at least given them the chance to understand and grow. And most families rise to the occasion of help, support, and understanding. (Under Talking to your physician about death with dignity and Talking to your family)

You are the only person who can decide if and when you want to take the prescribed medication. This is a decision that is often made by conferring with your family, as they are also aware of the changes happening to you as your disease progresses.A good time to take the medication is when the quality of life has decreased to an unacceptable or intolerable level, and all that is left are days of suffering. The suffering can occur on many levels: pain with every movement, the indignity of having someone you love change your diapers and position your body for you, or the recognition that you are becoming so weak that you might not be able to swallow 4 ounces of liquid for long. It can also include the fear of total loss of control of your life.Your family will probably be happy to watch with you, monitor your decreasing ability to function, and help you make the decision about when to take the prescribed medication, as your time gets shorter.You will know when the time is right; if the time is never right, that is fine too. A significant number of patients qualify for the life-ending medication but never ingest it. (Knowing the right time to take the medication)

"Between one half and two thrids of Americans today favor the legalization of physician-assisted suicde in certain circumstances. The public's attitude toward assisted suicde has changed during the past 15 years. in 1975, a Gallip poll showed that 41% of respondents believed that persons in great pain without hope of improvement had a moral right to commit suicide; in 1990, the figure had increaded to 66%." (P5)

" Those who oppose physician assisted suicide unclude many influential and respected groups in America, among which are several professional organizations. The American Medical Association, the American Geriatrics Society, and the American Bar Association have all spoken out again the practice and legalization of physician-assisted suicide." (P10)

"First, withdraw of life support, or passive euthanasia, involves the removal of tubes, respirators, or any other type of artificial support that may prolong life. The excess use of medal technology to extend apparently meaningless life and prolong suffering, especially in cases of terminal or near - terminal illness, is one of the factors that have stirred a public outcry for physician assistance in dying. Physician- Assisted Suicide occurs when a physician intentionally and willfully takes actions that help a suicidal patient to end his or her life. This may involve providing information on ways of committing suicide, supplying a prescription for a lethal dose of medication, providing a syrings filled with a lethal dose of medication, inserting an intravenous line so that the patient can inject the drug, or providing a suicide device that the patient can operate (such as the "suicide machine: invented by Jack Kevorkain, MD). Active Eithanasia involved a physician willfilly and intentionally performing an action that directly and immediately results in the patient's death. Here, the physician is the actor, but acts at the patient's request." (P3)

Differences between Passive and Active Euthanasia as well as Physician- assisted suicide

Proponents of Assisted Suicide

Opponents Of Assisted Suicide

This source is academic and Peer-reviewed, The author of the article is Harold G, Koenig, MD, MHSc and he's from Durham, North Carolina. He stated that as a former family physician and not geriatric psychiatrist, he reviewed the pros and cons of physician-assisted suicide (emphasizing arguments against legalization) and encourage family physicians to debate this matter

The author of this article Reed Karaim, is a freelance writer from Tucson, Arizona. Karaim has written for the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, SMithsonian, American Scholar, USA Weekend and other publications. He is the author of the novel, If Men Were Angles, which was seclected for the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers series. He is also the winner of the Robin Goldstein Award for Outstanding Regional Reporting and other journalism honors. Karaim is a graduate of Noth Dakota State University in Fargo.

This source is academic and peer-reviewed, Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide have been legally possible in the Netherlands since 2001, they provided that statutory due care criteria are met, including: (a) voluntary and well-considered request; (b) unbearable suffering without prospect of improvement; (c) informing the patient: (d) lack of a responsible alternative; (e) independent second physician's opinion."Unbearable suffering must have a medical basis, either somatic or psychiatric, but there is no requirement of limited life expectancy. All EAS cases must be reported and are scrutinized by regional review committees (RTE). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether any particular difficulties arise when the EAS due care criteria are applied to patients with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder.

As this article will be my main source for my paper. I plan to use this article because it goes into detail about the topic and there is a lot of great information. It will define what Assisted Suicide is and why people choose it as an option to end their lives. My source will also go into detail about different stories from people who have passed. This source will also help me be able to define the steps it takes for AS. I also chose this source because it shows not just one side of the argument but both sides and their pros/ cons of the situation

I chose this source because it talks about legalizing Assisted Suicide and why it should legal in more states and places around the world. In todays world there are only 8 U.S states and 1 provide that allows AS. I feel like this source will come in handy because it states both sides why it should be allowed in more places and why it shouldn't be allowed.

I chose this article because it hit one of my main points and thats the mentally ill citizens. I feel this article will show me more sides of Assisted Suicide and what it has to offer for me. I plan to use this source as a compare and contrast source. I live in America but this source is mainly from the Netherlands also this source hits on the topic about Autism and Mental disorders which will really help me to further find my information.

I plan on using this article because it has a more in depth information about why each state has chosen to allow AS and as well as all the steps it takes and what each person has to go through before ending their life. There are 22 main steps it takes to make sure that this is what the patient is wanting. I want to use this article as one of my big sources because its a-lot of the information that i have been looking for/

George Eighmey, JD is the President (Oregon) Following a stint in the Air Force and education in business administration and law, George practiced law for nearly 30 years, in Illinois and Oregon. As an Oregon state representative, from 1993 to 1999, George was not only a minority whip, vice- chair of judiciary committee, and his party's liaison to the governor's office, but also a staunch advocate for the groundbreaking Death with Dignity Act. During the 1997 campaign George debated and blocked opponents across the state,helped block the opponents in the legislature, and cheered with all Oregonians on gaining the option to die with dignity. After the law was implemented, George assumed a leadership role as the executive director of Compassion in Dying of Oregon, which later became Compassion & Choices of Oregon. After 12 years helping more than 1,600 terminally ill Oregonians navigate Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, George retired in 2010. George joined the Death with Dignity National Center board in 2013. He has traveled overseas and around the U.S. on our behalf to educate legislators, opinion-makers, journalists, terminally ill patients, and others on Oregon’s unblemished record of implementing the law. Most recently, he worked with legislators in Vermont and California to pass their state’s own Death with Dignity laws.