First legal assisted suicide in Washington state
Family, dog and doctor present when woman died
A 66-year-old woman with pancreatic cancer has become the first person to die under the new assisted-suicide law in Washington State. Linda Fleming died on Thursday after taking lethal medication prescribed by a doctor under the law, according to the lobby group Compassion and Choices of Washington. According to the group’s press release, the woman was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer a month ago. Her pain grew worse and upset her plans for the future. Compassion and Choices quoted Ms Fleming: "I had only recently learned how to live in the world as I had always wanted to, and now I will no longer be here. So my fatal disease arrived at a most inopportune time…
"I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death. The powerful pain medications were making it difficult to maintain the state of mind I wanted to have at my death."
She was accompanied by her family, her dog and her doctor when she took her life. ~ New York Times, May 22
- How long can you put off seeing the doctor because of lockdowns? - December 3, 2021
- House of Lords debates assisted suicide—again - October 28, 2021
- Spanish government tries to restrict conscientious objection - October 28, 2021
More Stories
Americans wrestle with definition of abortion
Abortion is just as inflammable and divisive an issue as ever in the United States, but the rhetoric is changing....
Anthropologists cancel panel discussion on sex binary over ‘transphobia’
The American Anthropology Association, together with its Canadian counterpart, has cancelled a presentation at its November conference in Toronto, because...
Belgians opting out of their opt-in organ donation policy
The number of Belgians who say they are ready to donate their organs after their death has reached a record...
Japanese scientists foresee artificial eggs and sperm in next decade
IVG, in vitro gametogenesis, is one of the most radical offshoots of IVF. Scientists are rushing to be the first...
Belgian Catholic bishop backs euthanasia
The position of the Catholic Church on euthanasia is well-known: it is staunchly opposed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church,...
Spanish pets must be offered alternatives to euthanasia
In a significant development for animal welfare in Spain, legislation aimed at curbing the mistreatment and abandonment of animals officially...