Separating MAiD from “assisted suicide.”

Language surrounding death becomes charged, by default, because strong feelings tend to color our impressions of end-of-life options. It’s hard to avoid. Still, nuance is important and so is accuracy. “Dignity in death” is the rallying call of proponents of medical aid in dying and that phrase points out the difference nicely: the element of choice is what supports dignity, but also choice as an informed and rational component in end-of-life decisions. Without legal, safe, and comprehensive choices, end-of-life patients are left in the dark, in despair, in pain, and without dignity. With these nuances in mind, MAiD is plainly differentiated from suicide. MAiD offers informed, science-based, medical alternatives to needless pain and suffering for terminally ill patients.