A right to suicide does not entail a right to assisted death

Journal/Book: J Med Ethics. 1997; 23: Tavistock House East, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 9JR. Prof Sci Publ. 51-54.

Abstract: Many people believe that it is permissible for people who are suffering from terminal illnesses to commit suicide or even that such people have a right to commit suicide. Some have also argued that it follows that it is permissible for them, or that they have a right, to use the assistance of another person. First, I assume that it is permissible for a person to commit suicide and ask whether it follows that it is also permissible for the person to employ an agent to assist in the death. Second, I assume that people have a right to commit suicide and ask whether it follows that the right holders have a right to employ an agent to assist with the death. I argue that the permissibility of suicide does not by itself entail the permissibility of employing someone to assist in the suicide. I also argue that the right to commit suicide does not by itself entail the right to assisted death. Instead, what follows is that there is a right not to have unreasonable restrictions placed on the means by which one can exercise one's right to commit suicide. Whether a restriction is reasonable depends on the conclusion reached when one has weighed a number of policy considerations.

Note: Article Gunderson M, Macalester Coll, Dept Physiol, St Paul,MN 55101 USA

Keyword(s): bioethics; right to die; euthanasia; assisted suicide

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