R. Henry Capps Jr.

In the viewpoint that follows, R. Henry Capps Jr. states that physicians have a moral duty to respect their patient’s wishes. However, he argues, because most suicidal patients suffer from depression, physicians must question the rationality of patients who say they want to die. Furthermore, writes Capps, many patients’ requests for assisted suicide stem from the pain associated with terminal illness, which he contends can be relieved through palliative care. For these reasons, the author believes that physicians should always seek alternatives to helping their patients commit suicide. At the time this viewpoint was originally published, Capps was studying for a career as a family physician at East Carolina University School of Medicine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How does the World Health Organization define...