Educational Resource
Life Matters: Doctor-Assisted Death by Suicide (2012)
Life Matters: Doctor-Assisted Death by Suicide by William L. Toffler, MD, a professor at Oregon Health Science University and the co-founder/national director of Physicians for Compassionate Care Education Foundation
"A central facet of traditional medical ethics has been embodied in the phrase "First, do no harm." Specifically, the original Hippocratic Oath, recited by physicians for millennia, ensured that they would give no deadly drug, even if asked. Sadly, few medical school graduates are still being asked to recite this oath. Instead, the door has been thrown open for some doctors to participate in, and even promote, giving deadly drugs with the direct intent to end human life. For such doctors, the time-honored principle of avoiding harm has been cast aside as they become willing accomplices to killing their patients.
The lack of oversight and patient safeguards is consistent with the view of many who promote assisted suicide, that some individuals lack "dignity" due to their physical or mental condition and simply aren't worth the bother or expense of having their basic needs met. They are wrong.
In contrast, Catholic teaching recognizes the inherent value of all human life. We are indeed made in the image and likeness of God. As Catholics we celebrate and defend the sanctity of life in all of its natural stages."