Assisted dying is on the rise globally, leading to concerns. Pertinently saying, assisted dying — also known as physician-assisted suicide that involves a terminally ill patient receiving medication from a doctor to end his/her life — is a controversial topic. Though proponents argue that it allows individuals to die with dignity and avoid unnecessary suffering, opponents raise concerns about the potential for abuse and the ethical implications of intentionally ending a life. Consequently, many do not support assisted dying. However, according to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation, assisted death is increasing in many countries including, but not limited to, Switzerland often, and regrettably, without the terminally ill conditions.
It is notable that there are ineffective regulation-based and other reasons for the rise in assisted dying. While increased awareness and acceptance of individual autonomy in end-of-life options, the growing aging population that is facing more end-of-life care challenges and advancements in medical technology (including the development of modern suicide pods) are crucial causes of assisted dying. Limited or ineffective regulations of the authority (including the lack of oversight and insufficient safeguards) and glamorizing the suicide device’s design also lead to the abuse/misuse of options and the rise in assisted dying in different countries. Among others, the changing societal attitudes toward death promote the desire for individuals to have control over their own deaths through avoidable assisted dying in many countries.
Regulatory and other steps are taken by the governments that prevent avoidable assisted dying in different countries. Many countries including many countries in Europe, Mexico, Brazil and South Korea do not allow assisted dying, even in cases of terminal illness or unbearable suffering, while many other countries including Belgium, Canada, Colombia, the Netherlands and Luxembourg fully or conditionally allow it. Optimistically, a number of countries that permit it implement strict regulations and oversight to ensure thorough psychological evaluations, ensure strict eligibility criteria and implement oversight committees to review each case of terminally ill patients. Additionally, many governments promote open discussions about end-of-life care before assisted dying and provide better access to palliative care options to help avoid it.
Despite the government regulations, the outcomes are not often optimistic in addressing growing assisted dying in different countries — leading to many avoidable deaths every year — because of implementation-based and other limitations in the steps. There remains a lack of effective government efforts to make and implement clear guidelines for safeguards (including determining mental capacity and ensuring comprehensive oversight and legal guidelines in assisted dying), address the potential for abusing the option by family members or caregivers and ensure access to alternative palliative care options in different countries. Among others, there remain insufficient safeguards for vulnerable populations and limited steps are taken by authorities to promote discussions about end-of-life care in different countries.
The rising assisted dying and its causes need to be addressed in different countries. For this, it is vital for policymakers to establish comprehensive guidelines and mechanisms to address the abuse of the option of assisted dying, arguably needed for terminally ill conditions. The emphasis needs to be given to proper monitoring and enforcement of the regulations of assisted dying. By ensuring that proper safeguards are in place and promoting alternative end-of-life care in different countries, the governments can work toward successfully addressing the concerns surrounding assisted dying while still respecting individual autonomy. Clear documentation and reporting requirements can also help ensure transparency and accountability in the process.
But the emphasis also needs to be given to discouraging assisted dying in different countries— at least whenever this is avoidable. Strengthened counseling services are needed for vulnerable individuals to avoid unnecessary assisted dying in different countries including in those countries where it is allowed under certain conditions such as terminally ill conditions. Addressing the underlying social and other causes of assisted dying is vital. Steps are also crucial to promote the value of life.
