Assisted suicide discussed in state senate committee
JACKSON, Tenn. — Lawmakers discussed a bill that would allow some terminally ill patients to end their lives, and if passed, the assisted suicide bill might become law in Tennessee. The proposed “death with dignity” bill would legalize assisted suicide for those over 18 years of age diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less. We asked how West Tennesseans feel about their “right to die.” Tennessee legislators listened to doctors, attorneys and other advocates for both sides of the “death with dignity” legislation proposed by Sen. Reginald Tate of Memphis.
While Tuesday was only a discussion, these issues impact everyone on both sides of the political aisle. According to a recent Vanderbilt poll, 55 percent of voting Tennesseans believe people should have the choice. “I believe it should be up to the individual to make a choice for what they need to do for their own life,” Jackson resident Donna Smith said. Another Jackson resident, Lauren Holder, thinks it depends on the case. “Yes, in certain cases, but it depends on the cases and what’s wrong with the person and how they feel about that. That’s everybody’s own decision,” Holder said. However, some residents think it is wrong to take another life. “Who wants to assist somebody in killing themselves?” said local resident Lavundra McFadden. “I don’t agree with it,” Tiffany McClellan said. She thinks assisted suicide oversteps a higher power. “I guess moving ahead of God’s time in a sense,” she said. The “right to die” is still being discussed by state lawmakers, and no decision has been made. The bill will be reconsidered in the next General Assembly, which starts in January.
