In addressing this interest, both courts acknowledged that a state has an interest in: (i) preserving
life in general; (ii) preventing deaths that occur as a result
of errors in medical or legal judgment; (iii) preventing exercise
of undue, arbitrary, and / or unfair
influences over an individual's
decision to
end his / her
life; (iv) safeguarding interests
of innocent third parties such as minor children and other family members; (v) assuring the integrity
of the medical profession; and (vi) avoiding the adverse consequences that might ensue if physician - assisted suicide were declared a fundamental right.