Euthanasia
Problems and Concerns with the Physician-assisted Death
Statutes in Oregon and Washington:
The claim is made that there are “adequate controls” in
place to hinder abuse of the system.
In Oregon and Washington the following problems are evident:
1.
The doctor who prescribes a lethal overdose
self-reports the incident. There
is no oversight from another source.
2.
The doctor who prescribes the lethal overdose
selects the doctor who is to give the “second opinion” on the case.
3.
The doctor who prescribes the lethal overdose is
the one who decides whether the person needs psychological counseling.
4.
The doctor is not required to give any
notification to family members.
5.
The doctor often works in conjunction with
pro-suicide groups.
6.
The doctor does not need to be present when the
person dies.
7.
The doctor signs the death certificate. The statement of cause of death is not
physician-assisted death but, rather, the underlying medical condition.
Bibliography
Richard M. Doerflinger, “Don’t Let Assisted Suicide Come to
the Nation’s Capital,” Public Discourse
(November 14, 2016). Online: http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2016/11/18224/
“Some Oregon Assisted Suicide Abuses and Complications” Not Dead Yet Washington. Online: https://dredf.org/assisted_suicide/18_Oregon_abuses.pdf
“Assisted Suicide Laws in Oregon and Washington: What
Safeguards?” Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
(September 22, 2016). Online: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/assisted-suicide/to-live-each-day/upload/Oregon-and-Washing-euthanasia-2013.pdf
