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Abby Powell
4B 3/2/15
Rough Draft
Manugo
Should a Person who is Dying be able to Die?
Death. A reoccurring thought that travels through terminally ill patients. As
they sit alone in a dark room with just their thoughts and the beeping of the
machines, terminally ill patients tend to think of the worst scenarios. Some of the
thoughts that travel through their brain include dying at any time. One of these
people include Brittany Maynard who wanted to die after she found out that she had
brain cancer. Approximately 8.5% of terminally ill patients actually want to die
(Few). This statistic applies only to those who remain conscious. Americans tend
today to believe that life is precious and should not be wasted. The pain some of
these patients endure make them want to find the quickest relief. The question
stands: should people who are dying be allowed to die on their own terms? Based
on popular beliefs if someone is in pain they should be able to leave.
Many people argue that physician assisted suicide remains immoral. Amy Hill
a spokesperson states,
Assisted-suicide, or whatever they would call it, is intentionally killing
yourself or helping someone else and is immoral, she said. Many people
agree that life is precious and should be valued. Others state that People
who are dying should have a right to choose how they go out, she said. It's a
matter of freedom and liberty.(Bellculfine)
People have a freedom to do as they please. Hill is mistaken because she overlooks
that animals that suffer get euthanasia [Animals dying]. If a person knows they are

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approaching their expiration date, these people should have the choice to no longer
suffer. This choice shows freedom of speech and choice. This choice can lead to a
new trend starting for the people who just cant live life any more.
Having this choice to end pain can make people want to end the emotional
pain they feel. We would think that people would have common sense to not find a
new trend to try. According to a study done in Switzerland Dr. Ira Byock states:
When doctor-induced death becomes an accepted response to the suffering
of dying people, logical extensions grease the slippery slope. Last year in
Holland, where voluntary euthanasia is permitted, over 40 people sought and
received euthanasia for depression or other mental illness (Brown).
While it is true that volunteer suicide can open the door to more suicides, I still
maintain that this will help more people leave the earth in a better place.
Critics are worried about Brittney partly because shes [Brittney] speaking to
that new audience, and they know that the younger generation of America
has shifted attitudes about gay marriage and the use of marijuana, and
maybe they are going to have the same impact in pushing physician-assisted
suicide forward, said Arthur Caplan(Scott).
Physician assisted suicide will eventually become accepted and an appreciated
opportunity that many people in serious pain may come to terms with. This is a
choice that will end the life of one but make room for one more. Knowing this some
people are worried that doctors dont always make the correct diagnosis.
Although none of them have ever said so directly, my Health Sciences
Academy teachers have often given me the impression that not everything we are
told is true. Not all doctors can correctly diagnose. Jeffery Brown, a PBS journalist,
says, Not every terminal prognosis is correct. Not everyones doctors know how to

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deliver expert palliative care.(Brown) Even though Jeffery Brown provides ample
evidence that doctors are not always correct with their diagnosis, Dan Diaz,
Maynards husband, convinces me that doing this may lead to a better end instead.
Diaz stated, Between suffering or being allowed to decide when enough is enough,
it just to me makes it provides a lot of relief and comfort that, OK, that option is
there.(Brown). Having the choice to not suffer any longer allows for the patient to
have some comfort in their last days. Knowing that people do not have to suffer for
the rest of their days but find peace and move on to a better place should offer
relief to anyone who appreciates life.
While it is true that Hospice and palliative care is the gold standard. Its
wonderful. But its not a miracle. And it cannot prevent the kind of relentless,
dehumanizing, horrific decline that Brittany faces, where her disease will
cause unending seizures and headaches and nausea and vomiting and
pressure in her brain, and the loss of every bodily function, including thinking
and moving. Said Barbara Combs Lee. (Brown). It does not necessarily follow
that everyone does not want to leave this earth the same way. Her family
wouldnt have to watch her seizing or stand at her bedside for weeks on end
while she is in a semi-comatose state or stuporous and dying very slowly.
Stated Barbara Combs Lee. (Brown).
This way of ending suffering allows for the family to rest knowing that they are no
longer suffering and moved on to somewhere better. This just offers some content
and peace.
So should a person dying be able to die on their own terms? In reality
everyone has the choice on whether they should keep the pain that they are in or
seek a better life. The choice does not hurt anyone, like some people believe but

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rather finds a forever lasting relief. The relief may come at a cost of their life. They
will finally be free of the pain they once felt and feel relief that they are no longer
holding the world up on their shoulders.

Works Cited
Belculfine, Lexi. "Death with Dignity Legislation Sparks Support, Opposition in
Pennsylvania." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. PG Publishing Co., 16 Oct. 2014. Web.
3 Mar. 2015
Brown, Jeffery. "Should Terminally Ill Patients Be Able to Choose When They Die?"
PBS. PBS, 14 Oct. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2015
Few Terminally Ill Patients Seriously Consider Ending Their Own Lives, Study Shows."
- The Commonwealth Fund. Commonwealth Fund, 15 Nov. 2000. Web. 3 Mar.
2015
Scott, Adriana. "Should Terminally Ill Patients Have a Right to Die?" US News.
U.S.News & World Report, 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2015