1. ENGLISH research proposal
1 Assisted Suicide /Death with Dignity Act Norma Ibarra Columbia Southern University
English 1020 2 Assisted Suicide /Death with Dignity Act Annotated Bibliography Derse, A.
R., Moskop, J. C., McGrath, N. A., Vearrier, L. E., Clayborne, E. P., Goett, R. R., & Limehouse Jr,
W. E. (2019). Physician‐assisted Death: Ethical Implications for Emergency Physicians.
Academic Emergency Medicine, 26(2), 250255. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.13618 This
is another peer-reviewed article that presents the ethical implications of using physician-
assisted death by emergency physicians. The authors elude that the issue of
physicianassisted deaths has been debated in the U.S, thus explaining why some states have
legalized it while others have not. I like this article because it extensively evaluates the
moral and ethical implications of using physician-assisted death. For example, the article
argues that patients should be given the right to choose whether physician-assisted suicide
should be used or not when approaching the end of life. Therefore, I will use this idea in my
research paper because respect for autonomy is essential, especially when terminally ill
patients prefer to die in an effective, painless, and dignified manner rather than facing pain
and suffering. I also like this article for articulating arguments to oppose physician-assisted
suicide because it can be abused and compromise physician integrity. Dugdale, L. S., Lerner,
B. H., & Callahan, D. (2019). Focus: Death: Pros and Cons of Physician Aid in Dying. The Yale
journal of biology and medicine, 92(4), 747.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913818/ The information here is good
for both sides. As the title says, it discusses the pros and cons of physician aid in dying.
Therefore, the article eliminates the bias of using physicianassisted deaths for those who
would like to support or oppose it. There are many arguments 3 about whether people
should have the right to die when they choose, intentionally and by design, to end their own
perceived pain and suffering. The terminologies about physician-assisted suicide have been
presented in the article to help the audience understand euthanasia. For example, the
audience should learn terminologies such as the right to die and death with dignity also
means physician-assisted suicide or death. The authors also present the history of
physicianassisted suicide in the U.S to ensure the audience under its origin. It does not take
sides or specific positions because it indicates both the pros and cons of physician-assisted
suicide. On the pros, it lists issues such as respect for patient autonomy and ending pain and
suffering. On the cons, the article focuses on issues such as suicide contagion and
depression in advanced illnesses. Goligher, E. C., Ely, E. W., Sulmasy, D. P., Bakker, J.,
Raphael, J., Volandes, A. E., Patel, B. M., Payne, K., Hosie, A., Churchill, L., White, D. B., &
2. Downar, J. (2017). Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in the ICU. Critical Care
Medicine, 45(2), 149-155. https://doi.org/10.1097/ccm.0000000000001818 In this
resource, the primary focus is the ethical consideration in applying euthanasia and
physician-assisted suicide for patients in the intensive care unit. This is straight from this
review. We sometimes witness severe and protracted physical and psychological suffering
in the ICU. Death may seem a relief, as the patient no longer has physical sensations. On this
basis, some have argued that death can sometimes be beneficial. I enjoyed reading this. I
find this a very good example of how to show both sides of the topic. I will use all parts of
this throughout my paper. All-around information includes facts, pros, and cons. Debate on
physician-assisted suicide is controversial because many feel it undermines the ethical
principles in healthcare 4 settings. This article will be helpful in my research because it
summarizes the key ethical questions on physician-assisted suicide. Isaac, M., & Chaar, B.
(2017, October 20). Euthanasia drugs: What is needed from medications for assisted
deaths?ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-
10-20/assisted-dying-what-is-needfrom-drugs-for-voluntary-euthanasia/9069896 This
article presents the motive for using euthanasia in physician-assisted death. According to
Isaac & Chaar (2017), the motivation for euthanasia is to end the pain and suffering
experienced by terminally ill patients. The article also acknowledges the debate in Victoria
on the commonly used drugs for physician-assisted suicide upon legalizing euthanasia in
areas where it is still illegal. The arguments made by the authors are essential because
medicine is poison if an overdose occurs. The article states having legalized physician-
assisted deaths should understand the drugs to use to ensure the patient die in a dignified
manner. The information about which drug to use as euthanasia should be disclosed to a
patient and family by a doctor who prescribes or assists with suicide. This resource is
helpful in my research because it focuses on the impact of patient-assisted suicide on
patients and their families. The article is essential in my research because I will compare the
type of drugs as euthanasia in areas that have already legalized physician-assisted suicide.
Marrow, A. (2021, January 02). Overview of Physician-Assisted Suicide Arguments. Verywell
Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/opposition-tophysician-assisted-suicide-
1132377 The debate over the morality and legality of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is not
new. The article has presented some of the states that have legalized physician-assisted
suicide. It has 5 been a topic of heated discussions for years and does not show any signs of
going away. This resource details the differences in all the options one may have in ending
life. The given information talks about the physician’s side. It also presents medical terms
and focuses on the doctor’s side. Violation of the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath
states that a physician’s obligation is primum non nocere, “first, do no harm.” PAS directly
contradicts that oath, as deliberately killing a patient is considered harmful. It can be
interpreted differently from person to person. It is an essential part of my paper to put forth
medical facts to assist in the substantial portion of my research. I will use this as a mutual
ground in my research paper. Ordway, D.M. (2017, October 19). Physician-assisted suicide:
Resources for journalists. The Journalist’s Resource.
https://journalistsresource.org/criminaljustice/physician-assisted-suicide-research-
oregon-dc/ In this article it speaks on the seven states that already practice the death and
3. dying act. Hawaii voted against it in 2017. During the same time, Massachusetts considered
taking the Endof-Life option act into effect. Doctors are split on this topic as The American
Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, however, has taken “a position of studied
neutrality.” It’s important to point out that assisted suicide is different than euthanasia,
although some people mistakenly use the terms interchangeably. In euthanasia, a doctor
directly causes a patient’s death by administering a lethal substance. In assisted suicide, a
doctor prescribes or dispenses a deadly drug that the patient may ingest or administer on
their own. In my paper, I can use this fact gathering to explain the topic’s background since
it is a neutral side fact portion. The information provided by this article mainly relies on
government reports, thus helping to write a paper about physician-assisted suicide based
on U.S laws and policies. 6 Pronk, R., Willems, D. L., & Van de Vathorst, S. (2020). Do doctors
differentiate between suicide and physician-assisted death? A qualitative study into the
views of psychiatrists and general practitioners. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 45(2),
268-281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-020-09686-2 This is a peer-reviewed article
that also talks about physician-assisted deaths. It mainly focused on patients suffering from
psychiatric disorders. The authors have indicated that patientassisted death is only
legalized in the Netherlands to address psychiatric disorders based on special
circumstances. I like this article because it explains that physician-assisted death should be
used when it is extremely necessary to ensure a request for physician-assisted death and
suicidality are differentiated. Physicians must assess and critically evaluate the given
circumstances under which the patient requests physician-assisted death. I will use this
article in my research because it provides critical details to physicians when accepting
death wishes from patients. It is very informative that the article eludes that physician-
assisted suicide is only applicable if the death wish is justifiable. Some of the justifiable
circumstances include irremediable and unbearable pain and suffering. Thus, I will use the
information in this article in my research paper to emphasize that physician-assisted death
should only be applied in special circumstances to avoid abuse.
