The Massachusetts Ballot Question, Article Review Example

After reading the details about the question, on the Massachusetts ballot, of whether or not to allow physician-assisted suicide in the state, I can see the pros and cons of both sides of the issue. However, I have decided that my predominant perspective on the issue is that it should not be allowed. I base this opinion on the facts that some experts believe that the measure does not have enough safeguards to keep people from abusing it, it goes against the grain of a doctor’s obligation to help people heal, it does not take into account that many people outlive their six-month prognoses, and it does not give a deadline to take the suicide medicine. I agree with these concerns.

I feel like legalizing this could be a way for people to “exterminate” people who are poor or homeless, or maybe it would be a way for people to commit murders by manipulating consent forms, since the law states that people wanting to do this do not have to notify family first. To me, this is a red flag in the area of requirements. Another thing that is true is that people can and do outlive prognoses. My grandfather was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and only given six months to live but lived for seven more years, and he was not in bad shape until the last several months of the seven years. Also, I have an aunt who was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer more than 10 years ago and she is in remission and doing fine.

Another thing that concerns me is the fact that there is no deadline requirement to take the drug. Does this mean that people can get the prescription filled and just have it lying around the house somewhere or in the medicine cabinet at home? If so, this leaves room for children to get hold of it and take it, or it is an opportunity for it to be stolen and placed into the wrong hands. If this is how it is, I wasn’t sure from the article, then it is not safe. There should be a deadline and the patient should be supervised to take it.