Introduction
Assisted suicide is a contentious and highly debated issue in the United States. It is a practice where a medical practitioner provides an individual with the means to end their own life, usually through lethal drugs. The legality of assisted suicide varies widely across different US states; while it is legal in ten states and Washington D.C., there are active death-with-dignity laws in seven of those states that enable terminally ill patients to access such services under regulated circumstances. In nearly all cases, two doctors must provide written certification saying that the patient has less than six months to live, has made an informed decision to die, and is mentally competent. Opponents of assisted suicide argue that it goes against religious beliefs or professional medical codes of ethics, while proponents assert that it is necessary for terminally ill patients who are suffering from intolerable pain or loss of autonomy and dignity. Despite this debate, current polls show that most Americans support the right to end their lives with assistance when facing terminal illness or intractable pain.
[shield-db-table]Need to survey a highly targeted audience?
Talk to our Experts