A patient with a rare, progressive liver disease that is invariably fatal after a long and arduous period of debility has stated several times that he wishes to end his life by his own hand “when the...

A patient with a rare, progressive liver disease that is invariably fatal after a long and arduous period of debility has stated several times that he wishes to end his life by his own hand “when the time comes.” During his most recent visit to his physician, he asks the physician to write him a prescription for “an assuredly lethal dose” of the medication he has been taking. The physician writes the prescription, then tears it up and says, “I can’t do that.” Then, he tells the patient how many tablets would be needed for “an assuredly fatal dose.” Did the physician do the right thing? Describe some of the legal and ethical ramifications of this conduct by the physician.