The patient decides when it's best to go.

Jack Kevorkian's quote, "The patient decides when it's best to go," directly speaks to his controversial views on euthanasia and assisted suicide. Kevorkian, often called "Dr. Death," was a pathologist who gained widespread attention in the 1990s for assisting terminally ill patients in ending their lives through euthanasia. This quote reflects his belief in autonomy and the right of individuals to make decisions about their own end-of-life care. According to Kevorkian, the decision to die should not be left to doctors, society, or the law, but rather to the patient themselves, particularly those who are suffering from unbearable pain or terminal illness.

By saying "The patient decides when it's best to go," Kevorkian emphasizes the importance of personal choice and dignity in the face of terminal illness. In his view, people who are suffering should have the right to decide the timing of their death, rather than enduring prolonged agony or being forced to live in conditions that diminish their quality of life. Kevorkian’s advocacy for assisted suicide centered on the idea that each individual should have the control over their own death, similar to how they have control over their life choices.

The origin of this quote ties into Kevorkian's ongoing public campaign for doctor-assisted death, which was highly controversial. He argued that palliative care was often insufficient in alleviating pain, and that patients suffering from diseases like cancer or neurodegenerative disorders should have the option to end their lives on their own terms, with the help of a medical professional. His involvement in over 130 assisted suicides sparked intense debates about morality, ethics, and medical responsibility, leading to legal action in multiple countries.

Ultimately, Kevorkian's statement reflects his philosophical and ethical stance on euthanasia: that individuals facing extreme suffering have the right to make decisions about their death in a way that upholds their personal dignity and autonomy. While controversial, his views have contributed to ongoing discussions about the legal and ethical boundaries of assisted suicide, influencing debates on the rights of patients to control their end-of-life decisions.