Assisted suicide 162615 225900786 2008-07-15T22:49:56Z Patrick 4388 rm details already in [[Dignitas (euthanasia group)]]. {{mergefrom|Aid in Dying}} '''Assisted suicide''' is the process by which an individual, who may otherwise be incapable, is provided with the means (drugs or equipment) to commit [[suicide]]. It differs from [[euthanasia]] in that, in assisted suicide, the individual performs the critical action, whereas, in euthanasia, another person does it. ==Legality== Assisted suicide is illegal in many legal jurisdictions, including the [[United Kingdom]] (where a bill to legalise it was voted down in 2008), but in others, eg, [[Belgium]], [[Netherlands]], [[Oregon]] (by the [[Oregon Death with Dignity Act]]), and [[Switzerland]], there are circumstances in which it is permitted. It may or may not be required that the assistance is provided by a physician (physician-assisted suicide). Under the "Death with Dignity" policy in Oregon, physicians repeatedly analyze, check over, and ask patients about their certainty to make such a life-changing decision on their own. Patients must not have the ability to commit suicide themselves and must suffer from an illness that causes intolerable pain. Furthermore, the administration only permits patients who have six months or less to live to take lethal pills prescribed from their doctors. The only state in the United States that permits physician-assisted suicide is Oregon. ==See also== * [[Euthanasia]] - for a detailed discussion of ethical and legal issues *[[Dignitas (euthanasia group)]]. ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Core issues in ethics]] [[Category:Disability rights]] [[Category:Euthanasia]] [[Category:Homicide]] [[Category:Medical ethics]]