The basic form of my question is: Is there any ethical difference between killing/letting die and assisted suicide?
I would say no. The results of the methods are the same - the only factor which could possibly cause assisted suicide to be less ethically correct would be if the concept of suicide itself is morally wrong, which I do not believe to be the case. Certainly there are many cases in which suicide is far from the best option; however, in the context of a seriously ill person seeking to end pointless suffering, it seems to me no worse than any other method of death. In some ways, it may be better. Assisted suicide can give the patient a sense of control over their death in a way that letting die or killing cannot. There may, possibly, also be less guilt involved on the part of the doctor. Of course, it is not for everyone; I am sure that many people would choose one of the other options, the ones which were explored in the text. However, I think that it is still a valid choice, as least as much so as euthanasia.
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