LSTD 510 American Public University System Physician Assisted Suicide Discussion

I’m trying to study for my Political Science course and I need some help to understand this question.

Do not include statements such as great work, or excellent post. Try to include information that is challenging and respectful and that will stimulate debate. Additionally, please remember that simply posting the main post and a student colleague response post does not end the forum; the discussion forum should be dialogue that is continual until the Sunday deadline. Also, be mindful of including references and citations whenever citing facts to support your position.

300 words and 1 reference for support is also the minimal expectation; this does not mean by meeting the minimal expectation that you will be awarded an “A.” This is a Master’s Degree program and course and the award of maximum credit is reserved only for those posts that are exemplary!

Also the content of the Forum Assignment will often ask the student to take a position on a particular topic. However, this is not a strict opinion paper in which you the student can just make a statement of what you think or what your experiences are on a topic. Instead, the student needs to support their opinion or experiences with qualifying research from academic source. APA 6th edition citations and references must be used always!

Hence, do not include statements such as great work, or excellent post. Try to include information that is challenging and respectful and that will stimulate debate. Additionally, please remember that simply posting the main post and a student colleague response post does not end the forum; the discussion forum should be dialogue that is continual until the Sunday deadline. Also, be mindful of including references and citations whenever citing facts to support your position.

1. What was the ruling in the case and how did the Commerce clause impact the case?

In the case of Gonzales v. Oregon, the Commerce clause is used by congress to exercise power to regulate activities of states and their citizens, when there are conflicts and questions concerning significant issues. The disagreement surrounds the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) versus the Oregon Death With Dignity Act (ODWDA). The Controlled Substance Act gives the state the authority to combat drug abuse from illegal aspects such as traffic control, unauthorized distribution, and dispensation of substance, under the authority of the Attorney General. On the contrary, the Oregon Death With Dignity Act (ODWDA), which is “exempted from civil or criminal liability state-licensed physicians who, in compliance with ODWDA’s can dispense or prescribe a lethal dose of drugs upon the request of a terminally ill patient” (Cornell, 2006).

The ruling of the case of Gonzales v. Oregon by the Supreme Court Justices voted 6-3 lead by Justice Anthony Kenny who gave the opinion that the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) is about illegal drug control and Attorney General John Ashcroft does not have authority to address medical policies or practices (Supreme Justia, 2006).

2. Do you agree with the court’s ruling? Why or Why not? Well, from a theological perspective, I disagree with the decision, based on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” On the other hand, from an ethical perspective and the Constitutional law suggests in the First Amendment, guarantees citizens the right to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that the patient made a conscious decision to be happy with death that would relieve her of pain and suffering.

3. Does this ruling close the door to federal regulation of physician suicide? Should we have such regulation?

I do not think this ruling would prohibit federal regulations on physicians assisting others to die in dignity. There must be rules and policies in place and each litigation should be investigated case by case by the state and federal government and depends on the circumstances. I believe it is best to have rules, because some people may desire to overdose on drugs or shoot themselves and claim it is alright to kill themselves because it is the state law. With this, regulations, rules and policies should definitely be in place in every state that practice the Death With Dignity Act.

References

American Public University. (2020). Class overview, Commerce Clause. Retrieved from apus.libguides.com

Gonzales v. Oregon. Oyez, www.oyex.org/cases/2005/04. Accessed 9 March 2020.

Gonzales v. Oregon (04-623)546 U.S. 243. (2006). Cornell School of Law. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/supt/html/04-623.25.ht…