Conn. doctors want to help patients die

HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Two Connecticut doctors said Wednesday they are suing the state to determine if there is a way for them to legally help terminally ill patients end their lives.

The Stamford (Conn.) Advocate reported Dr. Gary Blick and Dr. Ron Levine said they filed suit in state Superior Court to have the legal right to offer "aid in dying" to terminally ill patients deemed mentally competent.

Under Connecticut state law, no one may intentionally help an individual commit suicide.

The Hartford (Conn.) Courant said the doctors want the court to specify if that state law should prevent doctors from being able to prescribe medication that could be used by a terminally ill patient to end their life.

The doctors' attorney, Kathryn Tucker, told the Courant she would argue in court that such medical efforts do not represent assistance of a suicide attempt.

"In some sense, the underlying question is do we consider the choice of a dying patient for a peaceful death, do we consider that suicide, or is it something different," Tucker said. "And our argument will be that it is very much different."