from the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
Doctor-prescribed suicide is a growing threat in Pennsylvania and dozens of other states. A type of euthanasia, doctor-prescribed suicide involves a physician prescribing a lethal dose of drugs for a patient with the knowledge that the patient intends to use the drugs to commit suicide.
Oregon was the first state to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide in 1994. Advocates claim that assisted suicide laws help people who are in pain and dying; however, the state of Oregon has not documented any cases of doctor-prescribed suicide to treat unbearable pain, according to Oregon Right to Life.
National studies indicate that depression is the only factor that significantly predicts the request for assisted suicide; but, assisted suicide laws do not require a psychological evaluation. In Oregon, only 3 percent of assisted suicide patients were referred for psychological evaluations. The law’s so-called safeguards are not working. Assisted suicide advocates such as Compassion and Choices are trying to push doctor-prescribed suicide legislation across the country.
The Pennsylvania Coalition to Stop Doctor-Prescribed Suicide works to protect vulnerable individuals from the threat of assisted suicide in the Keystone State. It is a broad-based network made up of disability rights activists, medical professionals, and other concerned groups.
Use this link to learn more about the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.
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