http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2011/10/14/law-not-choice/
By Margaret Dore on October 14, 2011
I am an attorney in Washington state, where assisted suicide is legal. I am also president of Choice is an Illusion, a nonprofit corporation opposed to assisted suicide. Contrary to Alex Yahanda's article, "The grateful dead" (Oct. 13), assisted suicide is only legal in two states: Oregon and Washington. He also leaves off its multiple problems such as elder abuse.
Last March, I did a legal analysis of two assisted suicide bills that were pending in the Vermont legislature. I had previously analyzed two similar bills introduced in 2009. None of these bills assured patient choice.
To view my most recent analysis, go to http://www.choiceillusionvermont.org/p/2011-bills.html. To view my prior analysis, see "Physician-Assisted Suicide: A Recipe for Elder Abuse and the Illusion of Personal Choice," in the Winter 2011 edition of the Vermont Bar Journal, which is available at http://www.vtbar.org/Images/Journal/journalarticles/winter2011/PhysicianAssistedSuicide.pdf.
Margaret Dore
President, Choice is an Illusion
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Bennington Banner: Suicide choice is an illusion
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_19084377Posted: 10/10/2011 10:26:03 PM EDT
Monday October 10, 2011
This letter responds to Dr. Guerrero's letter referring to an upcoming assisted suicide bill, which he discusses in terms of providing patient choice. Last March, I did a legal analysis of two assisted-suicide bills that were pending in your legislature. I previously analyzed two similar bills introduced in 2009.
None of these bills assured patient choice or control over their deaths. For example, there was no required supervision over administration of the lethal dose. The death was not even required to be witnessed. This created the opportunity for an heir, or someone else who would benefit from the patient's death, to administer the lethal dose to the patient without his consent. Even if he struggled, who would know?
To view my most recent analysis, go here: http://www.choiceillusionvermont.org/p/2011-bills.html To view my prior analysis, see Physician-Assisted Suicide: "A Recipe for Elder Abuse and the Illusion of Personal Choice," Vermont Bar Journal, winter 2011, available at www.vtbar.org/Images/Journal/journalarticles/winter2011/PhysicianAssistedSuicide.pdf .
Choice is an Illusion, a nonprofit corporation www.margaretdore.com [should be www.choiceillusion.org ]
MARGARET K. DORE
Seattle, Wash.
Monday October 10, 2011
This letter responds to Dr. Guerrero's letter referring to an upcoming assisted suicide bill, which he discusses in terms of providing patient choice. Last March, I did a legal analysis of two assisted-suicide bills that were pending in your legislature. I previously analyzed two similar bills introduced in 2009.
None of these bills assured patient choice or control over their deaths. For example, there was no required supervision over administration of the lethal dose. The death was not even required to be witnessed. This created the opportunity for an heir, or someone else who would benefit from the patient's death, to administer the lethal dose to the patient without his consent. Even if he struggled, who would know?
To view my most recent analysis, go here: http://www.choiceillusionvermont.org/p/2011-bills.html To view my prior analysis, see Physician-Assisted Suicide: "A Recipe for Elder Abuse and the Illusion of Personal Choice," Vermont Bar Journal, winter 2011, available at www.vtbar.org/Images/Journal/journalarticles/winter2011/PhysicianAssistedSuicide.pdf .
Choice is an Illusion, a nonprofit corporation www.margaretdore.com [should be www.choiceillusion.org ]
MARGARET K. DORE
Seattle, Wash.
Labels:
assisted suicide,
Margaret Dore,
Vermont Bar Journal
Vermont: Don't Make Oregon's Mistake
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_19077890
In Oregon, there has never been a documented case of assisted suicide used because there was actual untreatable pain.
One of the first times I discussed assisted suicide with a patient was with a man in a wheelchair with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis who asked me for assistance with his suicide. I told him that I could readily understand his fear and his frustration and even his belief that assisted suicide might be a good path for him.
At the same time, I told him that should he become sicker or weaker, I would work to give him the best care and support available. I told him that no matter how debilitated he might become, that, at least to me, his life was, and would always be, inherently valuable. As such, I would not recommend, nor could I participate in his suicide. He simply said: "Thank you."
How we respond to someone requesting suicide can either reflect the person's inherent worth or can cause the person even deeper desperation. Patients can even feel pressured to proceed simply due to how we respond. For this reason alone, the deaths may not be voluntary. Don't make Oregon's mistake.
WILLIAM L. TOFFLER, MD
Posted: 10/09/2011 09:32:49 PM EDT, Sunday October 9, 2011
I am a doctor in Oregon where physician-assisted suicide is legal. Dr. Richard Guerrero's letter justifies his support of assisted suicide with a discussion of physical pain (Sept. 30).
In Oregon, there has never been a documented case of assisted suicide used because there was actual untreatable pain.
One of the first times I discussed assisted suicide with a patient was with a man in a wheelchair with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis who asked me for assistance with his suicide. I told him that I could readily understand his fear and his frustration and even his belief that assisted suicide might be a good path for him.
At the same time, I told him that should he become sicker or weaker, I would work to give him the best care and support available. I told him that no matter how debilitated he might become, that, at least to me, his life was, and would always be, inherently valuable. As such, I would not recommend, nor could I participate in his suicide. He simply said: "Thank you."
How we respond to someone requesting suicide can either reflect the person's inherent worth or can cause the person even deeper desperation. Patients can even feel pressured to proceed simply due to how we respond. For this reason alone, the deaths may not be voluntary. Don't make Oregon's mistake.
WILLIAM L. TOFFLER, MD
Labels:
William Toffler MD
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