Columbia University doctor warns assisted suicide makes life ‘disposable’ amid growing push to legalize it

Dr. Lydia Dugdale, a physician and ethicist at Columbia University Medical Center, has raised concerns about the growing legalization of medical aid-in-dying laws across the United States. Following recent legislation signed by Kathy Hochul in New York and JB Pritzker in Illinois, the practice is now legal in multiple states. These laws allow terminally ill patients with limited life expectancy to self-administer medication to end their lives, with certain safeguards such as mental health evaluations and waiting periods. Supporters argue that such laws provide dignity and control, but Dugdale questions whether normalizing assisted suicide may create unintended ethical and cultural consequences.

Dugdale points to international examples, particularly Canada’s MAID program, where assisted deaths have risen significantly since legalization. She warns that these trends may reflect a broader cultural shift away from long-term caregiving and toward viewing death as a solution to suffering. According to Dugdale, this shift could place subtle pressure on vulnerable individuals, including those who are disabled, elderly, or financially dependent, to consider ending their lives to reduce perceived burdens on their families or society. She also highlights concerns that in some regions, safeguards have gradually been weakened over time, expanding eligibility beyond terminal illness.

Ultimately, Dugdale argues that the debate over assisted dying often overlooks the value of comprehensive end-of-life care and the importance of supporting patients through the natural dying process. Drawing from her book, she advocates for a cultural shift that emphasizes intentional living and preparation for death rather than seeking to control its timing. In her view, improving how society approaches care, dignity, and meaning at the end of life could lead not only to better deaths, but also to more thoughtful and purposeful living overall.

For more information see Kristine Parks “Columbia University doctor warns assisted suicide makes life ‘disposable’ amid growing push to legalize it,” Fox News, March 3, 2026.