In Mr. Heppner's response to the little girl who wrote him, he says that physician assisted suicide isn't suicide, essentially arguing because it is legal. There are at least a few cases in Oregon where the people were not terminally ill and/or were coerced. In those who were coerced, certainly not suicide. However, essentially the same argument could be made for abortion, since it is unfortunately legal.
I also thought his quoting that Christ chose to lay down his life (and therefore, I take it, he can justify the same for others) was of interest. And that, to be truthful is kind of the point. Jesus, as God, had to choose to lay down His life - it could not be taken. Mr. Heppner, in his letter, is attempting to place humans at the same level as God in choosing the time and manner of death. He's also making the "quality of life" argument that leads to Terri Schiavo's death and, soon, IMHO, to ill elderly that are costly to the medical system or inconvenient to their relatives.
Very blue state attitude, IMHO.
By golly, it worked.
I don't know, I didn't get the impression this man was trying to justify the process to her, I thought he was trying to explain it and his feelings, fears, and questions as well. More like thinking out loud. He did not say that he was planning on using the law, only that he didn't know what was in store for him, and what he would do when he got there.
What an incredible girl. It is so nice to see a girl her age focused on Jesus, and giving hope to others. I will say prayers for both of them.
When you are dying of terminal cancer, the compassionate thing to do is to stop the pain with morphine so that the patient can rest and not suffer more than is necessary. The purpose is not to kill, but pain treatment. The pain medicine also has the effect of hastening your death because of the amount needed to treat such intense pain.
When you get chemotherapy sometimes it kills you while trying to save you.
Using morphine or chemotherapy in these case is not suicide or assisted suicide. The intent is not to kill you; it is to treat you.