In California, an 88-year-old man was arrested for assisting in a ...

[darbym82]

In California, an 88-year-old man was arrested for assisting in a suicide after his 84-
  year-old wife took thirty sleeping pills and then suffocated herself with a plastic bag
  over her head.

 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

In New Mexico, a group called Compassion & Choices is defending physicians
  treating terminal cancer patients in seeking a clarification of that states laws
  prohibiting assisted suicide.

 
  What will be an ideal response?

[sierramartinez]

Answer to Question 1

He told police that he did not help her commit suicide, but neither did
he try to stop her. In fact, he said, he sat by her side as she died. She had been
suffering from depression and numerous injuries and illnesses in her final years.
Both the husband and wife were said by family and friends to be mentally alert and
competent and capable of making such decisions. Should the husband's failure to
stop his wife from commiting suicide count as assisting a suicide? Did he violate
any moral obligations to her in failing to stop her from committing suicide?

Answer to Question 2

The doctors want to be permitted to provide medications
to patients who are terminally ill and mentally competent, so the patient can decide
later to commit suicide. The medications can also be used to lessen the severe pain
of many terminal cancers. If the prescribed drugs can be used for a clearly legal
purpose of alleviating pain, should doctors be held responsible for assisting in a
suicide if the patient uses them for this other purpose?