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The Slippery Slope of Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide

TO THE EDITOR: I read Kussmaul's editorial (1) with great interest. After more than 25 years of practice in hematologic oncology and bone marrow transplantation at an academic medical center, reading an editorial that clearly articulates the sanctity-of-life position that would make physician-assisted suicide unacceptable is gratifying. Physicians are given, by training and license, the tools to save or terminate a life. Given mankind's ability to rationalize self-interest and this society's worship at the altar of autonomy, a confluence of interests will militate for physician-assisted suicide. However, the autonomy of one should not denote the obligation of the other, especially when that obligation means the taking of life. Palliation, treatment of pain, support of disability, and withdrawal of medical intervention that can provide no likelihood of benefit are all within our scope of service, but taking a life is not. Physician assistance in terminating a life is too easy, a facile resolution that compromises a physician's commitment to provide care that is not equal to harm.