Changing the present legal prohibitions on assisted suicide is a bad idea.

Abstract

This article argues that although there may exist morally valid reasons to justify assisted suicide in some cases, establishing state or national policies legalizing assisted suicide is morally unjustified. Five arguments are examined that support the position against legalization: consequentialist arguments, arguments about who could legitimately choose assisted suicide and when it could be chosen, the incompatability of assisted suicide policy and authentic self-determination; the probable lack of efficacy of assisted suicide in a managed care environment, and the effects of assisted suicide on the profession and practice of nursing. The article ends with a discussion of alternatives to assisted suicide legislation that might accomplish in large part what is sought by such legislation.