Suicide Solution

Those of you in Massachusetts may be aware of a Physician-Assisted Suicide initiative going up for vote.  It's also been referred to as "Death with Dignity" or sometimes simply "Question 2."  I do not live in Massachusetts so I am merely a spectator, even though I live less than an hour away from the Massachusetts State House.

I do understand that if someone has been suffering and is about to pass away, many people see little or no reason to unnaturally extend that person's life.  Unfortunately, that is not what this initiative is about.  The physician-assisted suicide involves a physician prescribing a dose of a medication that is so massive that it is lethal.  That physician does not need to be present when the patient chooses to administer their prescription.  In fact, anyone who's ever tried to reschedule a medical appointment could tell you that it would be much easier and more convenient to self-administer the prescription without the physician present.

Sure, it is recommended that another person be present, but it is not required.  The physician is also expected to recommend that the patient notify the next of kin of their intention but neither the patient nor the physician are required to notify that next of kin.  This, of course, brings up another issue.  What if the patient is suffering from depression in addition to, or perhaps as a result of, their physical condition?  Sure, the physician is required to refer the patient for psychiatric or psychological consultation but only if the physician believes there's a problem in that regard.  If the attending physician dealing with the physical issue, who is not likely to be either a psychiatrist or psychologist, sees no problem with the patient's mind, then there is no such requirement.

The attending physician is required to refer the patient to a consulting physician, a specialist, for a diagnosis and prognosis regarding the patient’s disease, and confirmation in writing that the patient is capable, acting voluntarily, and making an informed decision.  But just like the attending physician, this consulting physician is also unlikely to be either a psychiatrist or psychologist.  Besides, people suffering from depression are just as likely to be capable, acting voluntarily, and making informed decisions as those who are not.  It's just that such decisions would likely be very different if they were not suffering from depression.  The human mind goes to some very dark places when the person who possesses it is infirmed.  It is a very lonely experience, not to mention the helpless and powerless feelings associated with such vulnerability and desolation.  It is at this time when those who are ill are in most need of people reaching out to them.

We are called to comfort the suffering, not enable them to end their lives.  Such enabling would amount to ignoring them at a time when they are most in need of attention.  As undignified as a patient's life may seem in their physical condition, the act of poisoning oneself is never a digified way to die.  Not only that but the cause of death would not even be listed as an overdose.  It would just be listed as whatever disease the patient was suffering from.  In other words the suicidal overdose would never be recorded.  It would be covered up, ignored as if it were never there.  This would compromise the integrity of the medical profession and would further violate and cheapen the sanctity of human life.  Please consider these things before making a decision on this issue.

Here is a link to the website containing the ballot question:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele12/ballot_questions_12/quest_2.htm

Mark 10: 46-52