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 organization had great influence over the years, with one of its actions being to help with changing the law by engaging in political activities. However, having such laws passed proved to be tougher than expected and many times they were accepted, challenged and then rescinded. One of the first states to pass such a law was Oregon.
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.
Although the concept of aid in dying was becoming more widely known, having laws passed to support was more difficult. Oregon was the first state to pass a Death with Dignity Law in 1994. After more than ten years, studies have shown that this law has not been used by disabled, poor or uninsured people as was feared but mostly by well-educated cancer sufferers. Five states now have laws like this in place.
The political struggle to have such laws passed resulted in further research. People looked into other ways to achieve dignified death such as the use of helium gas. The law passed in Oregon has now survived for more than ten years and studies have revealed that it has not been used by the disabled, poverty stricken or uninsured, as was originally feared. Well-educated, cancer sufferers have been the ones to make use of it.
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 organization had great influence over the years, with one of its actions being to help with changing the law by engaging in political activities. However, having such laws passed proved to be tougher than expected and many times they were accepted, challenged and then rescinded. One of the first states to pass such a law was Oregon.
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.
Although the concept of aid in dying was becoming more widely known, having laws passed to support was more difficult. Oregon was the first state to pass a Death with Dignity Law in 1994. After more than ten years, studies have shown that this law has not been used by disabled, poor or uninsured people as was feared but mostly by well-educated cancer sufferers. Five states now have laws like this in place.
The political struggle to have such laws passed resulted in further research. People looked into other ways to achieve dignified death such as the use of helium gas. The law passed in Oregon has now survived for more than ten years and studies have revealed that it has not been used by the disabled, poverty stricken or uninsured, as was originally feared. Well-educated, cancer sufferers have been the ones to make use of it.
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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