For the past six years of my life, I have dreamed of becoming a contributor to medicine whether in the form of a physician or a surgeon. As I have researched, observed and experienced what a physician's typical day includes, I have learned about many controversial topics in the medical field. One of these topics includes the right to practice physician-assisted suicide. After becoming familiar with the topic and becoming exposed to life ending scenarios I have generally supported PAS. It generally follows along with my beliefs towards life and how each person has their own right to choose what to do with their own lives. I also have an idea about what it is like fighting through something that so painful that their comes a time when the fighting takes a toll on oneself, the desire to live disintegrates. Without going into further detail, I feel as though I understand the desire to want to be able to determine when it is time to succumb to death. Physician-Assisted Suicide has become even more relevant in today's day and age. I know PAS is something I will come face to face with as a physician or possibly if I am placed in a position where I could benefit from it. Due to the fact that PAS is a relevant topic to me, I have dissected a few articles that support or refute the idea.

The first article noted was titled "Brittany Maynard, The 29-Year-Old With Brain Cancer, Has Committed Suicide". The article focuses on the story of 29-year-old, Brittany Maynard, who utilized the "Death with Dignity Act" in the state of Oregon in order to participate in assisted suicide after diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She lived in the state of California but moved to Oregon once informed of her diagnosis. A physician informed Maynard that she only had months to live and that her ability to function would exponentially diminish. This specific article released Maynard's interest in the participation of assisted suicide and provided examples with how her story was used to promote the legalization of PAS. Her actions provided fuel for the debate of assisted suicide and compared the values of someone like Brittany who disagreed with the act of PAS. The article found should be deemed a credible source for it was found on LifeNews.com, a website that covers topics involved in the category of pro-life. The author is also the founder and editor of the website who obtained a bachelor's degree in Politics from Hendrix College and previously held leadership roles for committees involved in public affairs. 

The second source I obtained was "Physician-Assisted Suicide is Always Wrong". The article focuses on a few major claims that support those who disagree with the act of physician-assisted suicide. These claims include the endangerment of the weak and vulnerable, the corruption of the practice of medicine and the doctor-patient relationship, the betrayal of human dignity and equality before the law. The article clearly values the life of every individual and believes that the patient should not determine death, that it will be determined naturally. An alternative to PAS was even introduced to prevent the interest in physician-assisted suicide. The ideas provided are to increase the debate against PAS. 

The following source was written by a credible source. The author, Ryan T. Anderson works as a researcher who writes for The Heritage Foundation about topics regarding marriage and religious liberty. He graduated from Princeton and received his PhD in political philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. 

The final article titled "The Right to Die," supports the physician assisted suicide movement by providing factual information about countries and states that have legalized PAS. Certain steps are even required in order for PAS to be considered an option for a patient. They believe the doctor's should still be deemed trustworthy whether or not they distribute medicine to enforce suicide and the patient should have the right to end their own life. The website that provides the article is strongly for the action of PAS and values the decision of the patient. Another point that is made is that PAS is just optional it is not required to be done for terminally ill patients and some consider PAS without even following through with the steps to end their lives. The article did not provide an author for the article found the "Economist", a well-known newspaper published in London, England. The company has existed since the 1800's and has gained readers from all over the world reaching a circulation of about 1.5 million people.

Overall, The research question I am using would be considered arguable because there are two sides in the debate about physician assisted suicide. These two sides either support or disagree with PAS for the terminally ill whether they live in an area where it is legalized or not. PAS impacts other countries and some states in the United States. Some people are largely against it because they believe death should come naturally and that people will have issues against physicians who participate in assisted suicide. Those who support PAS believe the patient's have the right to determine when they will die based on their physical condition and PAS is only an option for a patient that doesn't always have to end with suicide. The perspectives of the sources have continued to support my beliefs on the matter that PAS should be legalized for terminally ill patients. 
