In response to a question posed by MSU-DCL student Gregory Bell, Cowart asserted that patients should be allowed to control their own destinies as the decision to die has no unreasonable effect on the rights of others. Winslade, has also holds a law degree in addition to PhDs in psychoanalysis and philosophy, provided a more balanced view on the issue of patients' rights to complement Cowart's position. As a psychoanalyst, however, he is concerned about the mindset of both patients and their families. Asserting that even the Supreme Court does not know the answer, public forums such as the presentation and discussion are the proper place to debate the issue. Professor Lance Tibbles, who teaches Bioethics, candidly asked Cowart that given the positive effect that he has had on the lives of so many and the issue of patients' rights was it not better in hindsight that his request to die was rejected.
Autonomy is a two-way street.