The focus of this paper is the issue of the right to die. This issue actually includes several different issues. The contention of some that there exists a "right to die," either through suicide or assisted suicide, is an ethical issue that deals with both physical and mental conditions.
The issue seems to be becoming more in need of discussion and at least temporary resolution with the increased capability of medicine to prolong the life of those with terminal diseases and crippling handicaps. Medical science is able to keep people alive currently who probably would have died in past eras. It is able to provide some of these people with increased quality of life and reduced pain levels. Yet, there are those whose life has been extended who wish to die because of pain or reduced quality, and there are family members who wish to help other family members to die in order to reduce their suffering. In the following pages, the intention is to explore some of these issues in greater deal in order to come some conclusion about whether or not the right to die through suicide or assisted suicide should continue to be constrained.
The Latimer Case represents the extreme end of the continuum in the right to die movement. Essentially, Richard Latimer decided to kill his daughter, who was severely handicapped and in great pain. This was a unilateral decision, because his daughter was not capable of making that decision on her own. Latimer was consequently tried for murder and convicted by a jury of his peers. He was sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole for 10 years. His appeal of the sentence was denied.
However, in reading articles dealing with the case, it becomes apparent that the case is not completely clear for many people. Even the appellate court judges indicated that they had some mixed feelings about the case. While the two judges in the majority stated that Latimer's action could not be supported ...