Category Archives: News

Officially only Dutch residents should receive medical assistance to commit suicide.  But the law doesn’t prohibit doctors from administering euthanasia to non-residents. It’s not the existence of assisted-suicide tourism that’s behind the latest controversy but, rather, the implicit danger that … Continue reading →

On March 29, Charles Snelling killed his wife and then himself.  Only a few months ago, Snelling himself wrote that his life as his wife’s caretaker was rich and humanizing. By last week, he apparently no longer believed that.  But … Continue reading →

In the latest issue of the Journal of Law and Medicine Jeremy Prichard, a criminologist at the University of Tasmania, expressed doubts that many people in the community will be able to give full and voluntary consent to ending their … Continue reading →

Voters want their parents to die with dignity.  The parents?  Not so much. Those with elderly parents think physician-assisted suicide should be OK, while those elderly parents themselves don’t want the option to pick when they see the reaper.  Interesting … Continue reading →

In 1989, Dr. Petra de Jong gave a man pentobarbital, a powerful barbiturate — but not enough. It took him nine hours to die.  “I realize now that I did things wrong,” Dr.de Jong, 58, said in her office here. … Continue reading →

Euthanasia is widely accepted in the Netherlands for those whose suffering is “unbearable,” but Dr. Petra de Jong’s group is seeking to extend help in dying to everyone aged 70 and over, even if they aren’t sick.  She argues that … Continue reading →

Elizabeth Barrett was helping an 86-year-old friend take his medication — not assisting in his suicide, according to her attorney.  An autopsy revealed that Jack Keoncy died from the combined effects of the drugs Oxycodone, fluoxetine, and alprazolam, said Jim … Continue reading →

Elizabeth Barrett was arrested on a felony charge alleging she helped 86-year-old Jack Koency kill himself last year by mixing a lethal drug dose in his yogurt.  Prosecutors said Koeney was not terminally ill, bedridden or immobile. Sacramento Bee “Calif … Continue reading →

The Georgia Senate passed House Bill 1114, legislation that prohibits assisted suicide, making it a felony punishable by incarceration of up to 10 years.  The bill was drafted in response to the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the … Continue reading →

The number of assisted suicides in Switzerland has steadily increased since the late 1990s and now makes up about 5 out of every 1,000 deaths….The figures only cover assisted suicides by Swiss residents. Groups such as Dignitas who provide services … Continue reading →

Starting April 1, Washington State Medicaid will no longer pay for such visits, even when patients or parents have reason to believe they’re having an emergency. Hospitals and doctors are pressing lawmakers to undo the policy. Seattle Times “State Medicaid … Continue reading →

An Idaho House committee has approved a bill ensuring dying patients receive the end-of-life care they or their families desire. The House State Affairs committee voted unanimously Monday to advance legislation that would bar medical personnel from denying life-prolonging treatment … Continue reading →

Five out of every 1,000 deaths in Switzerland now involve assisted suicide, with women more likely to die this way than men, according to the first official figures released Tuesday…until recently, official Swiss statistics listed those who died by assisted … Continue reading →

Raymond Tallis writes: “Leaving a loved one to assist with suicide is cruel and irresponsible. Let doctors do their job.” The Guardian “The intolerable burden of assisted dying” March 26, 2012 View

Canada’s Criminal Code now makes it an offence punishable by a jail sentence of up to 14 years to counsel or assist someone to commit suicide, or to agree to be put to death.  Whether to alter those laws is … Continue reading →

Richard Ottoway MP behind the first full Commons debate on assisted suicide for almost 40 years, has hinted he would support further moves towards legalising euthanasia. The Telegraph “Richard Ottoway MP hings at support for euthanasia law” March 26, 2012 … Continue reading →

The report of the Quebec parliament’s commission on dying with dignity contains some positive measures as well as fatal flaws, according to Amy Hasbrouck, board chair of Not Dead Yet. Not Dead Yet blog “Canada: Not Dead Yet Responds to … Continue reading →

From time to time during the past several years I’ve used this column to help readers through the challenges of end-of-life planning. Recently, my dad’s health took a sudden, sharp turn for the worse. My family and I found ourselves … Continue reading →

As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the constitutionality of ObamaCare, the former House speaker says its purpose is to guarantee our inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Investor’s Business Daily “Pelosi: Give Us ObamaCare, … Continue reading →

A committee of the Quebec National Assembly unanimously recommended Thursday that rules be established to shelter from prosecution doctors who offer terminally-ill patients “medical assistance to die.” Montreal Gazette “Committee recommends new rules surrounding assisted suicide in Quebec” March 22, … Continue reading →

Legislation that would allow doctors to help terminally ill patients to take their own lives won’t pass this year, two key Vermont Senate leaders said Friday. Real Clear Politics “Vt. lawmakers: Right-to-die bill won’t pass” March 16, 2012 View  

Kenneth Chambaere,researched the causes of all deaths in hospitals in Belgium’s Flemish areas.  Two percent of deaths were due to euthanasia, and nearly 2 percent of deaths were without the patient’s consent, the study concluded…In those cases, the physicians intended … Continue reading →

Two physicians filed a challenge Thursday against a decades-old New Mexico law. The doctors seek to be allowed to prescribe medication to terminally-ill patients who want to end their lives. Las Cruces Sun “2 doctors file challenge against NM law” … Continue reading →

He is asking for declarations that doctors can help him end his “intolerable” existence without facing a murder charge….His wife, Jan Nicklinson, says the only way to relieve his suffering is to kill him. Telegraph “Locked in sufferer Tony Nicklinson … Continue reading →

People aged over 70 who feel their life no longer has meaning should be allowed to commit assisted suicide even if they do not suffer from terminal or incurable diseases, according to a proposal debated by the Dutch parliament late … Continue reading →