The case against physician assisted suicide

Physician assisted suicide (PAS) engenders debate about the meaning of prof essional identity, what is proper in the doctor/patient relationship, and t he physician's appropriate role in society. Polarization on PAS largely ari ses from different views on what defines compassion in relieving pain and s uffering, and the proper balance between individual autonomy and social imp eratives. This paper discusses the ethical, social and economic arguments a gainst PAS, including a historical perspective on other socially-sanctioned inappropriate uses of medical technology and expertise. This paper maintai ns that a truly dignified death does not come at the hand of a physician-he aler, despite compelling arguments that it is a compassionate act.