It is suicide committed with the aid of another person, a physician
It involves a doctor intentionally providing a person with the knowledge required to commit suicide, including counseling about lethal doses of drugs, prescribing the lethal doses or supplying the drugs.
PAS is very similar to euthansaia. The only difference is, with PAS a person can take the drugs at home and does not require a physician to be there the hole time.
For
Canada
Belgium
The Netherlands
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Some states in the US
Germany
Against
Sweden
Australia
France
Denmark
United Kingdom
Spain
Italy
India
China
Mexico
Israel
And more
Laws in different countries
For
Some feel that it's there right to make this difficult decision on their own
Some think that medical desisions are personal and should be made by individuals and families without a third party
It reduces prolonged suffering in those with long term illnesses
It can shorten an unbearable dying process
Against
Religious beliefs
Fear of abuse
It should be better care in their final days
Some physicians feel that it is unethical, it is contrary to the Hippocratic Oath
There are endless amount of arguments
Arguments
The Hippocratic oath
Is an oath taken for centuries by physicians
It is one of the most famous ancient Greek medical texts.
The oath is still being used all around the world, but there is different modifications
The old version states: " I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such course. Similarly i will not give to a woman an abortive remedy..."
The new version: "I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug..."
In Finland?
It is illegal
But it is under consideration
It is okay ti stop giving medication to a dying patient, if it is the patients wish to do so