Assisting terminally ill patients to die is a controversial issue. A certain society started in 1980 in a garage in America did much to advance the cause. The hemlock society euthanasia and the right-to-die are well known to many people.
Derek Humphrey, its founder, had helped his wife to die. He chose the name as Socrates had used a tincture of this plant to end his life with dignity. Today, many of those in favor of this concept are careful to talk about aid in dying rather than using the term suicide with its negative connotations.
The attempts of the organization to bring attention to this controversial issue over the years were many pronged. One of the ways was to attempt to change laws through political activity. Initially these activities were largely unsuccessful. However, as time went on, various events occurred that drew more attention to the issue. One of these was the conviction of Jack Kervorkian of second-degree murder. He had videotaped himself giving a lethal injection to an ALS sufferer and it was aired on television.
Another way that more people were forced to think about the issue was through the publication of many books written by Derek Humphrey. Pamphlets, audio and video tapes were also used to educate people. A book called Final Exit made it onto the New York Times bestseller list. The first account of a physician assisting a patient with her death, was published in the New England Journal in 1991. Dr Timothy Quill described how he had given his terminally ill patient, Diane, barbiturates and told her how much she needed to take.
Several countries such as Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and more recently, Canada allow physician-assisted death for terminally ill patients. In America, a couple of other states have followed Oregon in passing right-to-die laws but patients must administer their own medications.
The struggle to have physician-assisted death legalized lead to research into non-medical ways to achieve a peaceful death. One of the most popular methods was the use of helium gas, made available in small kits. Recently, in 2015 Canada has passed a law legalizing physician-assisted death, following in the footsteps of Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Many changes have been made to the original organization over the years. The national organization evolved into End-of-Life choices, although some local chapters still retain the original name. The quarterly magazine is largest of its kind in the West. National conferences were held over the years, and many more people began to think about this issue.
This organization continues to work towards making dying an open and legitimate action. They believe in increasing the control of the patient and preventing unwanted intervention at the end of life. They continue to work towards having further legislation passed and ensuring that people have access to all the options to aid them in dying available to them.
Derek Humphrey, its founder, had helped his wife to die. He chose the name as Socrates had used a tincture of this plant to end his life with dignity. Today, many of those in favor of this concept are careful to talk about aid in dying rather than using the term suicide with its negative connotations.
The attempts of the organization to bring attention to this controversial issue over the years were many pronged. One of the ways was to attempt to change laws through political activity. Initially these activities were largely unsuccessful. However, as time went on, various events occurred that drew more attention to the issue. One of these was the conviction of Jack Kervorkian of second-degree murder. He had videotaped himself giving a lethal injection to an ALS sufferer and it was aired on television.
Another way that more people were forced to think about the issue was through the publication of many books written by Derek Humphrey. Pamphlets, audio and video tapes were also used to educate people. A book called Final Exit made it onto the New York Times bestseller list. The first account of a physician assisting a patient with her death, was published in the New England Journal in 1991. Dr Timothy Quill described how he had given his terminally ill patient, Diane, barbiturates and told her how much she needed to take.
Several countries such as Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and more recently, Canada allow physician-assisted death for terminally ill patients. In America, a couple of other states have followed Oregon in passing right-to-die laws but patients must administer their own medications.
The struggle to have physician-assisted death legalized lead to research into non-medical ways to achieve a peaceful death. One of the most popular methods was the use of helium gas, made available in small kits. Recently, in 2015 Canada has passed a law legalizing physician-assisted death, following in the footsteps of Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Many changes have been made to the original organization over the years. The national organization evolved into End-of-Life choices, although some local chapters still retain the original name. The quarterly magazine is largest of its kind in the West. National conferences were held over the years, and many more people began to think about this issue.
This organization continues to work towards making dying an open and legitimate action. They believe in increasing the control of the patient and preventing unwanted intervention at the end of life. They continue to work towards having further legislation passed and ensuring that people have access to all the options to aid them in dying available to them.
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You can visit fenregistration.org for more helpful information about The Hemlock Society Euthanasia And Aid In Dying.
