Assisted Suicide III

Jacoby, Susan. "The Right to Die." AARP Bulletin Today 10 Nov 2005 10:56:00-05:00. 8 Dec 2008 http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/policy/articles/assisted_suicide.html?CMP=KNC-360I-YAHOO-BULL&HBX_OU=51&HBX_PK=assisted_suicide.

In the article, Jacoby is going over one of the first major tests for newly appointed Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., the Bush administration is challenging Oregon's controversial law allowing physician-assisted dying, claiming it violates federal laws governing drug use. It also tells you Oregon's law, ratified by voters in 1997 and it's strict conditions, which include: 1) two doctors certify that the patient has no more than six months to live; 2) patients must make three requests to the doctor for a lethal dose of medication — twice orally and once in writing; 3) the prescription can be filled only after a 15-day waiting period; 4) patients take the drug themselves — the prescribing doctor may not administer the drug. Charlene Andrews, 68 who was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 2000 spoke out: "I think of this as 'doctor-aided dying' or 'compassionate aid in dying,' That may be less catchy in headlines than 'doctor-assisted suicide,' but it's much more truthful. I am still fighting to live with every available medical tool, but I am going to die of this disease anyway." Kenneth R. Stevens Jr., M.D., a radiation oncologist in Portland, Ore., and vice president of the Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Foundation informs us that he believes assisted suicide as a violation of the doctor's healing role. "I did not become a doctor to write a prescription to end a patient's life," he says.Jacoby closes her article with Andrews: I have peace of mind because my state respects my own judgment about my own life and death, "I'm hoping the court will send a clear message that will give other Americans the same chance—to decide for themselves when enough is enough."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7770641.stm i need that for my next post..