How Is Assisted Death Compatible With Principles of Biomedical Ethics?

The four principles of biomedical ethics include beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. Beneficence can be understood as the opportunity for a patient to be released from suffering. Nonmaleficence, to do no harm, can be interpreted as doing less harm by not prolonging unnecessary suffering. Autonomy can be seen by respecting the rights, desires, individuality, and personhood of the patient, with final authority for all decisions resting with this person. And justice can reside in equality of care for all terminally ill with availability for both hospice care and aid-in-dying.

The four principles of biomedical ethics include beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. Beneficence can be understood as the opportunity for a patient to be released from suffering. Nonmaleficence, to do no harm, can be interpreted as doing less harm by not prolonging unnecessary suffering. Autonomy can be seen by respecting the rights, desires, individuality, and personhood of the patient, with final authority for all decisions resting with this person. And justice can reside in equality of care for all terminally ill with availability for both hospice care and aid-in-dying.