A. In l 935 in Britain, in l 938 in the U S A, and in l 980 in Canada. The British and America groups were very small and insignificant for the next two decades. Q. When did the movement start to become bigger and more vocal? A. After the hugely-publicized Karen Ann Quinlan ‘right to die’ case in New Jersey in l 976 revealed to the public the extent of modern medical technology to extend life indefinitely in a persistent vegetative state.
In l 980 Derek Humphry founded the Hemlock Society to campaign for law reform on assisted dying. Q. How many people support voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill? A. Opinion polls show average support of 70 percent in the USA, 74 percent in Canada, and 80 percent in Britain. When actually voting in official ballot measures, the support has been 46 percent in Washington State (l 991), 46 percent in California (l 992), 51 percent in Oregon (l 994), and 60 percent in Oregon (l 997).
Q.
Where has assisted dying been made lawful in the world recently? A. In only one place: The American state of Oregon, where its citizens in November l 994 voted for Ballot Measure 16 which permits physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill under limited conditions. Despite opponents’ attempts to block it in the courts, and a ballot initiative in l 997 trying to repeal the law, The Death with Dignity Act withstood all challenges and became effective in October l 997. In March l 998 two people were reported to have made use of the law to die but the true extent to which it is being used is not yet known.
The Term Paper on Physician Assisted Suicide People Patient Death
In today's society, one of the most controversial issues is physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. Many people feel that it is wrong for people, regardless of their health condition, to ask their health care provider to end their life; while others feel it is their right to be able to choose how and when they die. When a physician is asked to help a patient into death, they have many ...
Q. But what about the Netherlands where it has been going on for years? A. Assisted dying (euthanasia) is still technically a crime in the Netherlands (Holland), but the Dutch Parliament and Supreme Court have ruled that, provided certain conditions are met, physicians may assist people to die with either lethal injection or fatal drugs taken by mouth. The majority chose the injection because it is quicker.
Return to top of page. What is the legal position in other countries? A. Voluntary euthanasia is lawful in Japan (but apparently rarely practiced); PAS has been lawful in Switzerland since l 937. It has never been against the law in Germany, although taboo restricts its use..
