Physician-Assisted Suicide---Homicide or Death with Dignity?

Abstract

Physician-assisted suicide is now lawful in seven states and the District of Columbia. Oregon was the first state to pass legislation allowing physicians to assist in end of life activities in 1994. Oregon’s adoption did not open the floodgates---the second adoption did not occur until 2008 when Washington followed Oregon’s lead. Then Vermont, California, Colorado, Montana, Hawaii and DC followed suit. The state statutes apply if a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness and has less than 6 months to live. This article examines the state approaches and addresses arguments supporting and opposing these statutory approaches.