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The American College of Physicians (ACP) stated the following in its Sep. 19, 2017 Annals of Internal Medicine position paper, "Ethics and the Legalization of Physician-Assisted Suicide: An American College of Physicians Position Paper":

“On the basis of substantive ethics, clinical practice, policy, and other concerns articulated in this position paper, the ACP does not support legalization of physician-assisted suicide. It is problematic given the nature of the patient–physician relationship, affects trust in the relationship and in the profession, and fundamentally alters the medical profession’s role in society. Furthermore, the principles at stake in this debate also underlie medicine’s responsibilities regarding other issues and the physician’s duties to provide care based on clinical judgment, evidence, and ethics. Society’s focus at the end of life should be on efforts to address suffering and the needs of patients and families, including improving access to effective hospice and palliative care.”

Sep. 19, 2017