Physician Assisted Suicide or Death with Dignity as it is often called continues to be a controversial topic in the area of death and dying. Three states (Oregon, Washington and Vermont) have laws that allow the terminally ill to acquire prescriptions for lethal doses of medications from their physicians. Residents of New Mexico who are terminally ill have a constitutional right to obtain aid in dying following a judge’s recent decision. However, New Mexico’s attorney general is appealing this decision. In Montana a court case established that doctors are protected if they write a lethal-medication prescription requested by the terminally ill patient.

A recent case that focused on the issue of death with dignity was that of Brittany Maynard. For 10 extra credit points watch the following YouTube presentations and submit a two page paper outlining the relevant points in the presentations. Write the paper as if you are explaining the Maynard case to someone totally unfamiliar with it.

*Brittany’s Choice: 29-year-old Re-ignites Debate about Aid in Dying (approximately 7 minutes)

*TODAY Brittany Maynard’s husband: Her Death was “peaceful” (approximately 5 minutes)

*Brittany Maynard’s Husband Speaks Out on Death w/Dignity (approximately 8 minutes)

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