End of Life PDF

 

Although the quest to protect the sanctity of human life usually centers around issues at life's beginning, issues surrounding the rights and value of those nearing the end of their lives are equally as important. In a society and culture where "quality of life" only too often determines the value of a human life itself, the rights of the sick, disabled, and elderly are in great danger. There is much work to be done in the United States to reverse the slide towards euthanasia.

 

Advocates of physician-assisted suicide had their first victory in 1994, when voters in Oregon approved Measure 16, which authorized physicianassisted suicide of competent, terminally-ill patients. While advocates attempted to follow their 1994 victory with bills and public initiatives in other states, to date they have failed to garner sufficient support. Nevertheless, that the issue has even become a topic of debate -- a debate which has been fueled by Terri Schiavo's untimely death -- is an ominous sign for those who wish to protect human life. What begins as the alleged "right to die" quickly erodes into a duty to die (i.e., involuntary euthanasia).

 

In the spring of 2005, the nation was embroiled in a debate over the end of life as courts in Florida decided the fate of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. The case directly pitted those in the pro-life camp against those asserting the fictitious "right to die." Terri's status was hotly debated in the media, and the media inundated the public with play-by-play announcements in Terri's final weeks. Members of the public, in turn, formed their own varied and strongly opinionated views of the case. Terri's source of hydration was removed and she died an agonizing death, but the debate over her life and death rages on, encompassing not only the issue of withdrawal of lifesustaining treatments, but also the issues of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.

 

Not only did Terri's tragic situation demonstrate the bitter debate that is still raging in the states, but it also brought to light the flaws in state laws and procedures which allow even those patients with advance directives (for health care) to have their wishes ignored. The need to evaluate the deference given to valid advance directives has never been so obvious.

 

Our resources focus on providing information to assist in combating the drive toward legalizing assisted suicide and the further devaluing of some of our nation's most vulnerable citizens. In addition to a survey of the status of federal and state laws, we at Americans United for Life have provided suggestions for state legislatures wishing to protect the vulnerable in their state. Particularly, we focus on strengthening the deference given to advance directives and prohibiting assisted suicide. Such laws are critical in preventing the slide toward euthanasia in the United States.