Differentiate between allowing a patient to die and physician-assisted suicide. What are the legal implications of the two concepts? What moral implications do they have? Why are doctors reluctant to abide by patient or family wishes to stop life support machines?
Sample Solution
The main difference between allowing a patient to die and physician-assisted suicide is intent. In the first case, it is an act of mercy that occurs naturally due to the terminally ill patient’s deteriorating health; whereas in the second case, a doctor actively participates in ending the life of another person.