{"id":20,"date":"2013-08-09T23:38:48","date_gmt":"2013-08-09T23:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.92.181.94\/?page_id=20"},"modified":"2020-11-16T11:24:23","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T16:24:23","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/about-not-dead-yet\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #444444; font-family: Consolas, Monaco, monospace; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.07);\">            <div class=\"qae-faqs-container qae-faqs-list-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<ol class=\"qe-faqs-index-list\"><div id=\"qe-faqs-index\" class=\"qe-faqs-index\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4893\">1. Aren\u2019t we making people endure terrible pain and suffering if we don\u2019t allow doctors to help them commit suicide?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4896\">2. What\u2019s disability got to do with it? Isn\u2019t assisted suicide only for people who are terminally ill?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4932\">3. If only people who request assisted suicide and meet the criteria will be given assisted suicide, where is the danger?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4931\">4. Aren\u2019t there safeguards in place?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4930\">5. Assisted suicide has been legalized around the world without any problems. Why shouldn\u2019t we just follow those models?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4929\">6. Won\u2019t legalizing and regulating assisted suicide reduce the number of wrongful deaths?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4928\">7. We know assisted suicide already happens. If we don\u2019t regulate it, won\u2019t we end up with a \u201cmacabre specialty\u201d of assisted suicides with no safeguards at all?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4998\">8. These suicide requests do not arise from mental illness. These are fully informed, competent people who are not under anyone\u2019s control or influence. They are making a rational choice to avoid tortuous pain and suffering. Shouldn\u2019t we treat them differently from those with \u201cmental illness?\u201d<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4926\">9. Aren\u2019t we taking away autonomy and dignity by not allowing assisted suicide?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4925\">10. Aren\u2019t people who cannot commit suicide because they are physically incapable denied choices by making it a crime to help them?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4924\">11. We euthanize our pets. Why is assisted suicide different?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4923\">12. Isn\u2019t assisted suicide a personal issue? It\u2019s not as if the state is killing people.<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4922\">13. Isn\u2019t this about choice?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4921\">14. What\u2019s the difference between withholding or withdrawal of treatment, and assisted suicide or euthanasia? Aren\u2019t they the same thing?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4920\">15. Many ethicists and scholars believe withholding treatment and assisted suicide are the same, so shouldn\u2019t they be treated the same under the criminal law?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4919\">16. We already allow withdrawal and withholding of treatment, and the informed consent process used for that seems to work OK. Isn\u2019t that enough for assisted suicide?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4918\">17. Doesn\u2019t prohibiting assisted suicide discriminate against disabled people who cannot commit suicide on their own?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4917\">18. If people with disabilities are not allowed to have assisted suicide, aren\u2019t you implying that they are weak-minded and don\u2019t know what they want?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#qaef-4916\">19. Prohibiting assisted suicide forces people to die earlier than they want. Doesn\u2019t that deprive them of their charter right to (part of their) life?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/ol>\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4893\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 1. Aren\u2019t we making people endure terrible pain and suffering if we don\u2019t allow doctors to help them commit suicide?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Although physical pain is often given as the main reason for allowing assisted suicide, pain is rarely an important factor when people ask to die. Only 22% of people who ask for assisted suicide in Oregon list \u201cpain or the fear of pain\u201d as the reason they want to die.\u00a0 In fact, physical pain can almost always be controlled.<\/li>\n<li>When people talk about \u201csuffering\u201d they sometimes mean the grief that comes with any major loss in life, such as losing the ability to walk, or the loss of a spouse or child.\u00a0 With encouragement and support, it\u2019s possible to pass through this grief to feelings of peace and acceptance.<\/li>\n<li>Another kind of \u201csuffering\u201d has to do with becoming disabled.\u00a0 In Oregon, the reasons people give most often for asking for assisted suicide include: losing the ability to do favorite activities (87%), becoming dependent (90%), feeling like a burden (38%) or fear of losing their dignity because they need help with personal care (84%).\u00a0 Yet with architectural access and consumer-controlled home-based services, people with disabilities can stay active, integrated and in control of their lives.<\/li>\n<li>People with disabilities worry that these disability-related reasons have become widely accepted as good enough to allow assisted suicide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All statistics taken from:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/oha\/PH\/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES\/EVALUATIONRESEARCH\/DEATHWITHDIGNITYACT\/Documents\/year15.pdf\">Oregon Public Health Division, Center for Health Statistics, Oregon Health Authority (2012), Oregon Death with Dignity Act: data summary 2012, State of Oregon, Portland.<\/a><\/p>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4896\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 2. What\u2019s disability got to do with it? Isn\u2019t assisted suicide only for people who are terminally ill?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Practically all people with \u201cterminal illness\u201d (six months or less to live) have disabilities.<\/li>\n<li>In every place where assisted suicide is supposed to be only for people who are \u201cterminally ill,\u201d people who are not \u201cterminally ill\u201d are routinely helped to die.<\/li>\n<li>It is very hard to predict how long someone will live, and doctors sometimes make incorrect diagnoses.\u00a0 We all know someone who has \u201cbeaten the odds\u201d and lived much longer than doctors expected.\u00a0 In fact, reports from Oregon Public Health on that state\u2019s \u201cdeath with dignity\u201d law show that during every year since the program began, people have outlived the six-month cut-off. See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/oha\/PH\/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES\/EVALUATIONRESEARCH\/DEATHWITHDIGNITYACT\/Documents\/year15.pdf\">Oregon Public Health Division, Center for Health Statistics, Oregon Health Authority (2012), Oregon Death with Dignity Act: data summary 2012, State of Oregon, Portland.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Under most assisted suicide laws, people with chronic illness and disability are also eligible for assisted suicide.<\/li>\n<li>In places where assisted suicide is legal, standards for who is eligible have grown more and more relaxed.\u00a0 For example, in the Netherlands, people who are old or simply \u201ctired of life\u201d can have a mobile euthanasia unit come to their home. \u00a0In\u00a0Belgium,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/01\/14\/marc-eddy-verbessem-belgium-euthanasia_n_2472320.html\">two deaf men were given euthanasia in 2013<\/a>\u00a0because they were losing their sight, and believed that being deaf\/blind would be worse than dying. [Source: Huffington Post]<\/li>\n<li>People with disabilities are in a \u201chigh-risk\u201d category because minor problems can \u2013 and often do \u2013 become life-threatening.\u00a0 In the hospital, people with disabilities are often badgered to sign \u201cDo Not Resuscitate\u201d orders or encouraged to refuse treatment.<\/li>\n<li>Nearly all end-of-life care issues \u2013 such as access to good health care and pain relief, in-home personal care, peer counseling, and family supports \u2013 have been disability rights issues for decades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4932\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 3. If only people who request assisted suicide and meet the criteria will be given assisted suicide, where is the danger?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Data from places where assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal show that people who are not eligible are often killed anyway. \u00a0Recent examples in Belgium include\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/01\/14\/marc-eddy-verbessem-belgium-euthanasia_n_2472320.html\">Eddy and Mark Verbessen<\/a>, 45-year-old deaf twins who asked for euthanasia because their vision was failing [source: Huffington Post], and a woman who was euthanized<a href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/news\/canada\/death-by-doctor-controversial-physician-has-made-his-name-delivering-euthanasia-when-no-one-else-will\/wcm\/577932b5-212a-4e02-a679-33e41ae40c51\">\u00a0after being sexually assaulted<\/a>\u00a0by the psychiatrist who was treating her for anorexia [source: National Post]. \u00a0In Oregon, annual reports show that at least one person outlives the six-month \u201cterminal illness\u201d cutoff each year. See, for example, the report from 2012:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/oha\/PH\/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES\/EVALUATIONRESEARCH\/DEATHWITHDIGNITYACT\/Documents\/year15.pdf\">Oregon Public Health Division, Center for Health Statistics, Oregon Health Authority (2012), Oregon Death with Dignity Act: data summary 2012, State of Oregon, Portland.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>It is also dangerous to use the same standards for\u00a0evaluating\u00a0suicide requests submitted by someone with a disability as for a non-disabled person.\u00a0 Prejudices about quality of life with a disability shape the responses of medical staff and the general public when talking about these issues, and when responding to a disabled person who wants to kill himself.\u00a0 People assume that disabled people \u201cneed help\u201d to kill themselves, that life with a disability is worse than death, and that having a disability means a life without happiness, love or satisfaction. Our lives include more than constant pain and suffering.<\/li>\n<li>Finally, the effects of discrimination on people with disabilities often go unrecognized. People with disabilities already have fewer choices regarding where and how they live, personal assistance and health care they will receive, and options for transportation and work. By refusing to acknowledge and correct this discrimination, society creates the miserable conditions that drive people with disabilities to want to kill themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4931\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 4. Aren\u2019t there safeguards in place?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Many safeguards have been suggested and tried. \u00a0In general, there is not enough oversight before the person dies, and almost no oversight after the person dies.\u00a0 Typical safeguards include:<\/p>\n<h4>1. \u00a0 \u00a0Voluntary request \u2013 Requests for assisted suicide are supposed to be made free of influence.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Discrimination and barriers, rather than the person\u2019s disability, can create the conditions that lead someone to make a request. They may lack the services and supports necessary to be integrated and productive members of the community.<\/li>\n<li>The person may face pressure because of economic hardship or family stress.<\/li>\n<li>Comments from family, friends or medical staff may lead someone to feel they are a burden, less valuable because of their illness or disability, or that they\u2019d be \u201cbetter off dead.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Disputes over an inheritance can lead to family members putting direct or indirect pressure on someone to choose death.<\/li>\n<li>People with disabilities and elders suffer very high rates of abuse both at home and in institutions.<\/li>\n<li>Undue influence and coercion usually happen behind closed doors and are hard to detect.\u00a0 Most people are too embarrassed to report abuse. Sometimes the abuser is the only caregiver, so reporting the abuse would put the person at risk of living in an institution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>2. \u00a0 \u00a0Assisted suicide is only supposed to be available to competent adults.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Many people who ask to die have depression or other mental health issues that interfere with their ability to make clear choices.\u00a0 When these conditions are treated, people often change their minds and want to live.<\/li>\n<li>Many disabling conditions cause cognitive problems that make it impossible for a person to make an informed choice.\u00a0 General practitioners are neither trained nor qualified to detect these problems.<\/li>\n<li>Suicidal feelings are treated as legal evidence that a non-disabled person is \u201ca danger to himself,\u201d and can be committed to a psychiatric hospital against his will.\u00a0 This standard does not seem to be applied to disabled people who ask to die.\u00a0 This creates another form of discrimination.<\/li>\n<li>Deciding if someone is competent is not the same as knowing if they are depressed and treating them for it.\u00a0 Many people with depression don\u2019t\u00a0<i>appear<\/i>\u00a0depressed to someone who doesn\u2019t have any experience in treating depression.<\/li>\n<li>The standard for competence \u2013 who judges and what are the criteria \u2013 varies from one place to another.\u00a0 The process and standards may not reflect the seriousness of the life-or-death decision the person is making.<\/li>\n<li>Most assisted suicide and euthanasia programs do not require an screening by a mental health professional to detect and treat depression or other causes of suicidal feelings.<\/li>\n<li>Some places allow teenagers to be given assisted suicide and euthanasia, and parents can authorize it on behalf of their children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>3.\u00a0The person is supposed to provide informed, written consent.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Information about prognosis and options given by doctors is often biased because of prejudice about the quality of life with a disability.<\/li>\n<li>Providing information about alternatives to assisted suicide or euthanasia is not the same as making sure the person gets the necessary services to make those options a reality.<\/li>\n<li>Few laws require doctors to tell the person about home care to help with activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, transfers and using the toilet.<\/li>\n<li>Information is rarely made available in accessible formats or by unbiased interpreters.<\/li>\n<li>No laws require that the person asking to die talk to people living happily with that disability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>4. \u00a0 \u00a0Assisted suicide must be prescribed by a physician<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>There\u2019s no requirement that the person have a long-term relationship with the doctor.<\/li>\n<li>If the doctor says \u2018no,\u2019 the person or their family can find another doctor until they find one who will say \u2018yes.\u2019\u00a0 This is called \u201cdoctor shopping.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Family doctors are not trained to detect mental illness or cognitive problems that could interfere with a clear and informed choice.<\/li>\n<li>Doctors may not know enough about the person\u2019s living situation or be able to detect abuse.<\/li>\n<li>Doctors don\u2019t usually know about community supports and services that can help people live independently, or even much about palliative care.<\/li>\n<li>Doctors face pressure to cut costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>5.\u00a0The request for assisted suicide must be approved by a second doctor.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>When a doctor asks another doctor to consult, he will often ask someone he knows will agree with him.<\/li>\n<li>The second opinion is based only on a short visit and the notes of the first doctor.\u00a0 This is not enough information to make a life-and-death judgment.<\/li>\n<li>The second doctor is probably also not trained to detect mental illness or abuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>6. \u00a0 \u00a0Psychological evaluation.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>These are not usually required.<\/li>\n<li>Mental health workers have the same prejudices and biases about life with a disability as medical doctors.<\/li>\n<li>The opinion is based only on a short visit and the notes and opinions of the referring doctor.\u00a0 The psychologist or psychiatrist doesn\u2019t have enough information to make a clear and complete decision<\/li>\n<li>Mental Health professionals don\u2019t know about community supports and services that can help people live independently.<\/li>\n<li>In Oregon, doctors rarely ask for a psychological consultation (only 3% in 2008 and only once in 2011) to check for mental health problems that might cause suicidal feelings.\u00a0 Nor do they consult with a social worker who could help put home- and community-based services or peer counseling in place to deal with these feelings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>7. \u00a0 \u00a0When the method is self-administration\u00a0\u2026<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>No witness is required when the drugs are taken.\u00a0 There\u2019s no way to ensure that it\u2019s voluntary.<\/li>\n<li>If something goes wrong, there\u2019s no way to help the person.<\/li>\n<li>A lethal dose of drugs may sit around the house for weeks or months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>8. \u00a0 \u00a0When the method is euthanasia\u00a0\u2026<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Doctors sometimes leave it to other staff, like nurses or attendants, to perform the euthanasia, or these staff take it upon themselves.<\/li>\n<li>Doctors are trained to heal, not kill.\u00a0 Many doctors will not want to perform euthanasia, and people who want the service will have to go to a doctor they don\u2019t know.<\/li>\n<li>If euthanasia is performed by doctors in hospitals, people may not want to go to the hospital for care, fearing they might be killed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>9. \u00a0 \u00a0Informing family members<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Some laws require that family members be informed, while others do not.<\/li>\n<li>Sometimes it\u2019s important to tell family members, so they can provide support or help the person to avoid suicide.<\/li>\n<li>Sometimes it can cause problems to tell family members, if the family is threatening or abusing the person who wants to die to avoid the risk that what may look like an assisted suicide is actually a homicide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>10.\u00a0Reporting of assisted suicides\/sanctions for not reporting.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Even when the law requires doctors to report assisted suicides or euthanasia, they don\u2019t always do so:\n<ul>\n<li>If they didn\u2019t follow the correct procedure<\/li>\n<li>If they don\u2019t consider it an assisted suicide or euthanasia under the law<\/li>\n<li>If something went wrong<\/li>\n<li>For any other reason<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>There are rarely penalties for doctors who don\u2019t report assisted suicides or euthanasia.\u00a0 Even when there are, doctors are not punished.<\/li>\n<li>Assisted suicide and euthanasia cannot be counted if they\u2019re not reported.<\/li>\n<li>Assisted suicides may not be counted as suicides, as in Oregon.<\/li>\n<li>Doctors won\u2019t report when nurses and other medical staff euthanize some or help them commit suicide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>11.\u00a0Investigations\/prosecutions for violations of the law.<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Government agencies may not have power or funds to investigate problems or abuses.<\/li>\n<li>Agencies or professional associations who work closely with doctors may have a conflict of interest and not want to investigate.<\/li>\n<li>After a person is dead, there is rarely anyone who will come forward to say there was a problem.<\/li>\n<li>The standard of proof that a doctor acted properly may be very low.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The very fact that society considers adopting assisted suicide or euthanasia means that the lives of people who ask to die \u00a0\u2013 mostly the disabled \u2013 are considered less important. Others are prevented from killing themselves. \u00a0When governments legalize these practices, they endorse this devaluation and discrimination.<\/p>\n<p>People with and without disabilities should get the same kind of suicide prevention services.<\/p>\n<p>Social inequality and discrimination against people with disabilities make all safeguards ineffective.\u00a0 The only real safeguard would be true equality, which does not exist and isn\u2019t likely to happen soon.<\/p>\n<p>The people who are most vulnerable under these laws \u2013 elders and people with disabilities \u2013 suffer much higher rates of abuse than the general public.\u00a0 This law would make it possible for family or friends (including heirs) to pressure, trick or even force someone to accept assisted suicide.\u00a0 Interested parties can help make the assisted suicide request, witness the signature of the form, pick up the prescription and administer the lethal dose.<\/p>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4930\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 5. Assisted suicide has been legalized around the world without any problems. Why shouldn\u2019t we just follow those models?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>The High Court of Ireland did not agree.\u00a0 In a 2013 decision, the court examined\u00a0the same evidence used by the British Columbia court in the Carter case. The judges found proof that elders and people with disabilities are at risk of abuse under euthanasia and assisted suicide laws. See\u00a0the High Court\u2019s judgment\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bailii.org\/ie\/cases\/IEHC\/2013\/H2.html\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>In June 2010, the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) published an article exploring\u00a0physician-assisted deaths under the euthanasia law in Belgium. The researchers found:\n<ul>\n<li>Of the 208 deaths involving physician assisted death, some 66 were without an explicit request<\/li>\n<li>Of those 66 deaths; the decision was not discussed with 77.9% of those patients.<br \/>\n(Source: Chambaere, K., Bilsen, J., Cohen, J., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D., Mortier, F., &amp; Deliens, L. (2010). Physician-assisted deaths under the euthanasia law in Belgium: a population-based survey.\u00a0<i>Canadian Medical Association Journal,<\/i><i>182<\/i>(9), 895-901. doi:10.1503\/cmaj.091876)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Data from jurisdictions that have legalized\u00a0physician-assisted suicide) are unreliable. In Washington:\n<ul>\n<li>Assisted suicide deaths are not listed as suicides, but as resulting from\u00a0the person\u2019s illness.<\/li>\n<li>No data is collected from doctors who refuse requests for assisted suicide (e.g. why they refused, what happened to the person after the refusal).<\/li>\n<li>Drugs are not tracked after the prescription is dispensed.<br \/>\n(Source: Washington\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/RCW\/default.aspx?cite=70.245&amp;full=true\">Death With Dignity Act<\/a>\u00a0(RCW 70.245.010-903))<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>In Oregon:\n<ul>\n<li>There is no way to ensure that a doctor reports writing lethal prescriptions.<\/li>\n<li>After annual statistical reports are produced, documentation is destroyed, preventing further analysis.(Source: Oregon\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/oha\/PH\/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES\/EVALUATIONRESEARCH\/DEATHWITHDIGNITYACT\/Pages\/ors.aspx\">Death with Dignity Act<\/a>\u00a0(ORS\u00a0127.800-995))<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4929\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 6. Won\u2019t legalizing and regulating assisted suicide reduce the number of wrongful deaths?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>There is no evidence to show this has happened, or will happen. If we\u2019ve learned anything, it\u2019s that abuses continue where assisted suicide is legal. We\u2019ve also seen that the eligibility criteria are applied more and more loosely, as in the case of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/01\/14\/marc-eddy-verbessem-belgium-euthanasia_n_2472320.html\">Marc and Eddy Verbessem<\/a>\u00a0in Belgium. [Source: Huffington Post] That is called a \u201cslippery slope.\u201d<\/p>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4928\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 7. We know assisted suicide already happens. If we don\u2019t regulate it, won\u2019t we end up with a \u201cmacabre specialty\u201d of assisted suicides with no safeguards at all?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Regulations often don\u2019t make a difference in assisted suicide practices.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A majority of deaths in Oregon are \u201cguided\u201d by people from Compassion &amp; Choices. This organization bases their physician referrals\u00a0on the doctors\u2019 willingness to prescribe lethal drugs, rather than their relationship with a patient or\u00a0expertise.\u00a0See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pccef.org\/resources\/documents\/ConcentrationofOregonsAssistedSuicideDeaths3182015revision.pdf\">Dr. Kenneth Stevens\u2019 2015 report<\/a>, provided by the Physicians for Compassionate Care Educational Foundation.<\/li>\n<li>The Final Exit Network has faced criminal charges in situations where \u201cexit guides\u201d\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.riverfronttimes.com\/stlouis\/death-watch-final-exits-clandestine-ways-have-put-the-assisted-suicide-network-on-life-support\/Content?oid=2484133\">held people\u2019s hands down\u00a0<\/a>to prevent them from tearing the plastic bag off of their head to stop their \u201cassisted suicides.\u201d\u00a0[Source: Riverfront Times of St. Louis]<\/li>\n<li>Clients of the infamous\u00a0Dignitas clinic in Switzerland do not have to be residents of that country. People from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/health\/archive\/2014\/08\/going-to-switzerland-is-a-euphemism-for-assisted-suicide\/379182\/\">France<\/a>\u00a0[source: the Atlantic],\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2015\/aug\/15\/assisted-dying-britons-dignitas-rises-campaigners-change-law\">the United Kingdom and Germany<\/a>\u00a0[source: the Guardian]\u00a0 have traveled to Switzerland seeking assisted suicide.\u00a0In 2012, the Dutch government\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/03\/01\/mobile-euthanasia-netherlands_n_1313419.html\">launched mobile euthanasia units<\/a>\u00a0to make house calls [source: Huffington Post]. \u00a0Whether or not you can get home care to make your life easier, you can certainly get assistance to die.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4998\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 8. These suicide requests do not arise from mental illness. These are fully informed, competent people who are not under anyone\u2019s control or influence. They are making a rational choice to avoid tortuous pain and suffering. Shouldn\u2019t we treat them differently from those with \u201cmental illness?\u201d\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The concept of \u201crational suicide\u201d has been promoted by a very small but vocal group of researchers, but has not been accepted by any of the major mental health associations.\u00a0 Of 27 scholarly articles found on the topic of \u201crational suicide and the American Psychological Association,\u201d 12 were written by either James Werth or James Rogers in support of \u201crational suicide.\u201d\u00a0 Surveys that show support for \u201cRational Suicide\u201d may, in fact, reveal more about disability bias among mental health professionals.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(Source: Gill, C. J. (2000). Health professionals, disability, and assisted suicide: An examination of relevant empirical evidence and reply to Batavia (2000). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 6<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(2), 526-545. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/doi\/10.1037\/1076-8971.6.2.526\"><b>http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1037\/1076-8971.6.2.526<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM V) released by the American Psychiatric Association in 2012, assessments for suicidality factor in whether a person has a disabling condition as a potential cause.\u00a0 In other words, the presence of a disability is a reason to offer suicide prevention services. (Source:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oquendo, M. A., &amp; Baca-Garcia, E. (2014). Suicidal behavior disorder as a diagnostic entity in the DSM-5 classification system: advantages outweigh limitations. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">World Psychiatry,<\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">13<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(2), 128-130. doi:10.1002\/wps.20116)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A variety of social factors can cause suicidal feelings: isolation, bullying, violence, devaluation by society, institutionalization, identity issues, culture and language deprivation, substance abuse, and more.\u00a0 These are all associated with the discrimination of people with disabilities, as well as other groups such as First Nations people, LGBT people, and veterans.\u00a0 In addition, people with disabilities and elders are subject to high rates of abuse and domestic violence, another factor that contributes to suicide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finally, studies done of requests for assisted suicide found that the reasons given by people requesting assisted suicide are the same as those given by other suicidal people.\u00a0 As well, people asking for assisted suicide are likely to be influenced by the same suicide prevention measures which are effective for non-disabled suicidal people.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4926\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 9. Aren\u2019t we taking away autonomy and dignity by not allowing assisted suicide?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>For assisted suicide to happen, a third party must step in and take action on your behalf.\u00a0 (True autonomy would mean committing suicide on your own).<\/li>\n<li>Eligibility for assisted suicide is determined by a third party, according to government standards, decided by a doctor.\u00a0 That\u2019s even more interference.<\/li>\n<li>The diagnosis and treatment for the underlying illness will be influenced by wait times, access to services adapted to the person\u2019s needs, and the limits of one\u2019s insurance.\u00a0 It can be influenced by many outside factors.<\/li>\n<li>In an interdependent society \u201cautonomy\u201d is an illusion.\u00a0 We are all dependent on the infrastructure for utilities and transportation, the agricultural, manufacturing and shipping industries for food and other necessities, and a health care and social benefit system for our health and welfare.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4925\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 10. Aren\u2019t people who cannot commit suicide because they are physically incapable denied choices by making it a crime to help them?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Anyone is able to commit suicide.\u00a0 If nothing else, they can refuse to eat or drink.\u00a0 (Many cultures have a tradition of this form of suicide).<\/li>\n<li>Most often when someone asks to die, it is a cry for help.\u00a0 We should help people live, not die.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4924\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 11. We euthanize our pets. Why is assisted suicide different?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>About 4 million companion animals are euthanized each year, mostly because.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They are abandoned.<\/li>\n<li>They have personality or behavior problems.<\/li>\n<li>They have costly medical conditions.<\/li>\n<li>People no longer want to care for them.<\/li>\n<li>They\u2019re old, incontinent or unsightly.<\/li>\n<li>They have a terminal illness, or for no reason at all.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4923\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 12. Isn\u2019t assisted suicide a personal issue? It\u2019s not as if the state is killing people.\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Public policies for, and the public nature of, suicide prevention makes this a political issue.<\/li>\n<li>If doctors can prescribe or administer deadly drugs while:\n<ul>\n<li>employed by the health service<\/li>\n<li>using facilities, and equipment funded by the government<\/li>\n<li>operating under a programme developed, implemented and operated by the government<br \/>\n\u2026that makes\u00a0the government directly responsible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>By allowing assisted suicide, the Canadian government demonstrates its belief that some people are less worthy of suicide prevention than others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4922\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 13. Isn\u2019t this about choice?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>A number of factors limit the choices available to a person:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They may not have access to effective palliative care.<\/li>\n<li>Their health care may be delayed or denied based on economic factors or accessibility.<\/li>\n<li>People who don\u2019t have home care services are forced into institutions, or have to rely on family so much that they feel like a burden.<\/li>\n<li>Anyone could ask for assisted suicide, but government standards and a doctor\u2019s judgment determine who gets it.<\/li>\n<li>People with disabilities face discrimination and lack adequate supports to live as equals in the community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4921\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 14. What\u2019s the difference between withholding or withdrawal of treatment, and assisted suicide or euthanasia? Aren\u2019t they the same thing?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>There are several important differences.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When a person asks for medical treatment to be taken away (withdrawn) or not given (withheld) they are saying they don\u2019t want to be touched, or want that \u201ctouching\u201d to stop.\u00a0 The right not to be touched has been recognized by many courts as a most basic and important right.<\/li>\n<li>When a person asks for assisted suicide or euthanasia, they are saying they want something done to them.\u00a0 People can ask for a medical treatment, but there is no charter right to any and every medical treatment they ask for.<\/li>\n<li>Stopping a medical treatment doesn\u2019t always mean the person will die, or that death is intended.\u00a0 The person\u2019s condition could get better, and the person still has the chance to change her mind.\u00a0 Assisted suicide and euthanasia are intended to make the person die, and that is the most likely outcome because a poison is added to the person\u2019s medical problems in order to kill her.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4920\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 15. Many ethicists and scholars believe withholding treatment and assisted suicide are the same, so shouldn\u2019t they be treated the same under the criminal law?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>The opinions of ethicists are divided on whether withholding\/withdrawing treatment is the same as assisted suicide.\u00a0 Courts and statutes, on the other hand, say that, for the reasons described above, they are different and should be treated differently under the law.<\/p>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4919\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 16. We already allow withdrawal and withholding of treatment, and the informed consent process used for that seems to work OK. Isn\u2019t that enough for assisted suicide?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>In fact there are many problems with the system as it is<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The use of Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders (also known as \u201cno code\u201d or \u201ccode zero\u201d) often leads to problems.\u00a0 Studies have shown that:\n<ul>\n<li>Medical staff often withhold other treatments besides CPR (such as dialysis, medications, tests, food and water, transfusions)<\/li>\n<li>People with disabilities are pressured to sign DNRs, or the orders are simply put on their charts without their knowledge or consent, or that of their families.<\/li>\n<li>Doctors sometimes give unclear or incorrect information about the medical outcome of signing or not signing a DNR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>When a person asks that treatment be withheld or withdrawn, hospital protocols do not call for suicide prevention services, even though withholding treatment often leads to death.<\/li>\n<li>Doctors often wait too long to talk about end-of-life choices.\u00a0 When these conversations happen, the patient may be unconscious or otherwise unable to participate.<\/li>\n<li>Studies show that doctors sometimes make such decisions without the permission of the person or her family.<\/li>\n<li>The problems with informed consent that arise in assisted suicide are the same for withholding and withdrawal of treatment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4918\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 17. Doesn\u2019t prohibiting assisted suicide discriminate against disabled people who cannot commit suicide on their own?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>In a word, no.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Removing the criminal penalty from suicide did not make suicide into a program sponsored by the government. Laws that prohibit assisted suicide are applied equally to all people, and are part of a larger social policy to prevent suicides.<\/li>\n<li>Applying this policy equally to all people is an effort to recognize and address the discrimination that already happens to people with disabilities.\u00a0 Examples include putting \u201cdo not resuscitate\u201d orders on the medical charts of disabled people, pressuring disabled people to refuse treatment, and lack of adequate accessibility, services, and supports to be fully integrated in their communities.<\/li>\n<li>Suicide prevention policies exist to protect many groups who are vulnerable, such as First Nations people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, adolescents, veterans and people with disabilities.\u00a0 All of these groups are vulnerable to suicidal feelings because of discrimination, isolation, bullying, violence, devaluation by society, institutionalization, identity issues, culture and language deprivation, substance abuse, and many other social factors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4917\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 18. If people with disabilities are not allowed to have assisted suicide, aren\u2019t you implying that they are weak-minded and don\u2019t know what they want?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>No.\u00a0\u00a0 We are saying that everyone who says they want to kill themselves \u2013 for whatever reason \u2013 \u00a0should get the same suicide prevention services, as well as supports to live (and die) while fully integrated in their communities. Only then will\u00a0full equality &amp; autonomy be achieved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"qaef-4916\" class=\"qe-faq-list \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-question-circle\"><\/i> 19. Prohibiting assisted suicide forces people to die earlier than they want. Doesn\u2019t that deprive them of their charter right to (part of their) life?\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qe-list-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>If a person chooses to commit suicide, that is their decision.\u00a0 The loss of a few months for some people must be weighed against the potential loss of many others\u2019 lives. Any legalized system of assisted suicide is susceptible to mistakes and abuses.\u00a0By saying that disabled people are eligible to be killed while others are not, the government is giving these abuses a\u00a0stamp of approval.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n   <br \/><a class=\"qe-faq-top\" href=\"#qe-faqs-index\"><i class=\"fa fa-angle-up\"><\/i> Back to Index<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t            <\/div>\n\t\t<\/span><\/p>\n   ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n<div class=\"entry-summary\">\nIf a person chooses to commit suicide, that is their decision.\u00a0 The loss of a few months for some people must be weighed against the potential loss of many others\u2019 lives. Any legalized system of assisted suicide is susceptible to&hellip;\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":178,"parent":2,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4970,"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20\/revisions\/4970"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvndy.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}