The Ethics of Physician-Assisted Suicide: can Human Life be so Easily Terminated?

This article describes the case of a New England physician, Timothy Quill, who assisted a patient’s suicide. Quill prescribed barbiturates, & told her how many to take to kill herself. The author, although not against all types of euthanasia, finds Quill’s actions unethical. She sees Quill as a zealous reformer, & lists 7 questions to judge if a doctor’s motivations are purely for the patient’s well-being, & if euthanasia is justified. (VM)