Tag Archives: assisted suicide

Washington Post: The Dangerously Contagious Effect of Assisted Suicide Laws

Monday, 23 November 2015 13:19
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Source: Washington Post

By Aaron Kheriaty November 20

Aaron Kheriaty is an associate professor of psychiatry and director of the medical ethics program at the University of California at Irvine School of Medicine. This piece is adapted from a longer commentary that appeared in the Southern Medical Journal in October.

The debate over doctor-assisted suicide is often framed as an issue of personal autonomy and privacy. Proponents argue that assisted suicide should be legalized because it affects only those individuals who — assuming they are of sound mind — are making a rational and deliberate choice to end their lives. But presenting the issue in this way ignores the wider social consequences.

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Sacramento Bee: Fight for Care, Not Assisted Suicide

Monday, 21 September 2015 12:47
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Source: Sacramento Bee

By Marcos Breton

Sometimes you find yourself supporting a lost cause and fighting against friends from the wrong side of public opinion.

That’s me on the issue of assisted suicide in California, which is a pen stroke away from being signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown after being approved by both houses of the state Legislature.

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Sacramento Bee: Assisted Suicide Legislation: Read the Fine Print

Thursday, 27 August 2015 12:31
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Source: The Sacramento Bee

By Marcos Breton

mbreton@sacbee.com

The stubborn push to legalize assisted suicide in California persists. It has been blocked in committees at the Capitol, but supporters have a liberal state on their side and a special legislative session at their disposal.

Here is where they make their move. Here is where they bypass pesky legislators who question the ethics of whether doctors should be allowed to kill people or not.

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The Oklahoman: Laws Allowing Assisted Suicide Can Have Far-Reaching Impact

Wednesday, 22 July 2015 19:09
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Source: The Oklahoman

by The Oklahoman Editorial Board

AN effort to legalize “assisted suicide” in California has been put on hold. The rationales that caused California lawmakers to rethink the proposal deserve attention elsewhere.

This is especially true of arguments put forth by Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, a psychiatrist who is director of the Program in Medical Ethics at the University of California Irvine. Proponents of assisted suicide portray it as a humane solution for people in the last stages of painful, debilitating, terminal illnesses. But in a letter sent to California lawmakers, Kheriaty demonstrated that such laws can lead to death for a far wider, and often healthier, population.

 

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Washington Times: Physician-Assisted Suicide Often Results from Financial Coercion

Monday, 06 July 2015 12:45
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Source: Washington Times

By Mitchell T. Wallin – – Sunday, July 5, 2015

Earlier this year, legislation was introduced to the D.C. Council that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in our nation’s capital for an adult patient diagnosed with a terminal condition and less than six months to live. Although this initiative has been introduced in 24 states this year (not passing in any so far), its passage in the District of Columbia this year risks setting a dangerous precedent for the rest of the nation.

Self-determination and pain relief are the primary arguments by proponents of physician-assisted suicide. These principles of autonomy and beneficence are clearly important in discussions at the end of life. But can this specific piece of legislation protect those who need it the most, such as those with mental illness, and those easily subject to coercion, such as seniors? As a practicing physician for the past 25 years and based on the experience of similar practices around the world, I have serious concerns with this bill.

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