Assisted Suicide

Assisted suicide, also called medical aid in dying, is one of the most debated issues in modern medicine. Some people believe terminally ill patients should have the right to choose when their suffering ends, and others say that intentionally ending a life goes against the purpose of healthcare. 

Physician-assisted suicide happens when a doctor prescribes medication that a patient can choose to take to end their life. The patient must take the medication themselves. This is different from euthanasia, where another person directly causes the patient’s death.

“When it comes to assisted suicide, I am not very knowledgeable of the details, but I appreciate an understand that people going through terminal illnesses and very painful treatments might want it to be an option for them,” NHS photography and film teacher Staci Stamm said.

Several U.S. states have already passed “Death with Dignity” laws that allow physician-assisted dying under strict rules. States including California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Vermont, and New Jersey allow certain terminally ill patients to request the medication. To qualify, patients must be at least 18 years old, mentally competent, and diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to lead to death within six months.

Supporters say these laws give people more control during the final stage of their lives.

“By adding a voluntary option to the continuum of end-of-life care, these laws give patients dignity, control, and peace of mind during their final days with family and loved ones,” Triage Cancer representatives wrote in an informational resource about death with dignity laws.

Supporters also argue that people with serious illnesses should be able to decide how much pain or suffering they are willing to endure. They believe end-of-life decisions should be made by patients and their doctors rather than the government.

However, many critics strongly oppose assisted suicide. Some believe it goes against the basic role of doctors, which is to protect life. Others worry that vulnerable patients might feel pressure to choose death if they believe they are a burden on their families or facing expensive medical care.

“People in distress need support, not a fast-track to death,” disability rights advocate Cathy Ludlum said while responding to a proposed assisted-suicide bill in Connecticut.

The issue of assisted suicide gained national attention in 1990 when retired pathologist Jack Kevorkian helped a woman named Janet Adkins end her life. Kevorkian later assisted in more than 100 deaths and became known in the media as “Dr. Death.” In 1999, he was convicted of second-degree murder after directly administering a lethal injection to a patient with ALS, Thomas Youk.

 The debate is also happening locally. In February 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly chose not to consider a bill that would have legalized medical aid in dying in the state. The proposed law would have allowed doctors to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients who met specific requirements.

Even though the bill did not move forward this year, some lawmakers believe the issue will return in the future.

“It’s not a matter of if this bill gets passed. It’s just a matter of when,” Connecticut state representative Josh Elliott said.

The debate over physician-assisted suicide raises difficult ethical questions about life, death, and personal freedom. While some see it as a compassionate option for people facing serious illness, others believe society should focus on improving hospice and palliative care so patients can live their final days as comfortably as possible.