physician-assisted suicide

noun

: suicide by a patient facilitated by means (such as a drug prescription) or by information (such as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient's intent

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

physician-assisted suicide

noun

: suicide by a patient facilitated by means or information (as a drug prescription or indication of the lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient's intent

Proponents of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide claim that the principle of respect for autonomy requires that patients be allowed to choose the manner of their death.

—Robert I. Misbin, The New England Journal of Medicine

Legal Definition

physician-assisted suicide

noun

: suicide by a patient facilitated by means (as a drug prescription) or by information (as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician who is aware of the patient's intent

Note: In 2007, Oregon became the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. A few states have followed.