According to Zinner, who will moderate the discussion, advocates of state laws to legalize medical aid in dying argue that this approach is respectful of patient autonomy because it allows them to choose the manner of their death. Furthermore, some research indicates many terminally ill patients request these medications and choose not to use them prior to their death. Those opposing the legalization of medical aid in dying believe that administration of these medications is virtually the same as murder and that physicians should not be involved in the process.

The participants in the debate will include Dan Lowery, former IU Northwest School of Public and Environmental Affairs faculty member and recently retired chancellor of Calumet College of St. Joseph, who opposes this approach; and Bev Hmurovic, president of the Indiana Chapter of Compassion and Choices, who supports this approach.

This is IU Northwest’s second year observing World Bioethics Day. For more information, contact Susan Zinner at 219-980-6836 or [email protected].