The case of Gonzales v. Oregon was a landmark decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in 2006 that upheld Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act (ODWDA). This law, passed in 1997, allows Oregon physicians to prescribe a lethal drug dose to a patient that has “an incurable and irreversible disease that, within reasonable medical judgment, will cause death within six months” (Hilliard, p.160).
Oregon’s voters believed that a competent adult who has a terminal illness should have the right to ask a physician for assistance in ending his or her life. This allows a patient to control the dying process and manage their illness with dignity. Instead of trying to end his/her life in a secretive or shameful manner, the patient has the right to seek professional medical advice and receive a painless, humane way to end life under his/her control. Under ODWDA, the steps are very specific, providing the patient an opportunity to understand their condition and seek counseling if desired. Once the......

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Title: Physician-Assisted Suicide Should Be Legalized In The United States
Approximate Word Count: 1137
Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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