Wa. State Has 1st Death Under State's Assisted Suicide Law

rockin'robin

rockin'robin

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OLYMPIA, Wash. – A 66-year-old woman who had stage 4 pancreatic cancer is the first person to die under Washington state's new assisted suicide law.

Linda Fleming of Sequim died Thursday night after taking drugs prescribed under the "Death with Dignity" law that took effect in March. Assisted suicide group Compassion & Choices of Washington announced Fleming's death Friday morning.

The organization says Fleming was diagnosed last month with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The new law was approved in last November's election with a nearly 60 percent vote. It is based on Oregon's measure which passed in 1997. Since then, about 401 people have used the Oregon law to end their lives.

Washington and Oregon are the only states to allow assisted suicide.


Wash. state has first death under new suicide law - Yahoo! News
 
That's one messed up law.

What if someone killed another person, then said that he was only helping him commit suicide? :crazy:
 
VamPyroX said:
That's one messed up law.

What if someone killed another person, then said that he was only helping him commit suicide? :crazy:
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The law is very restricted as to what physician assisted suicide is. The patient has to have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, been determined by 2 doctors that they have less than 6 months to live, have been examined by a pshychiatrist and determined to be competent, and be capable of taking the fatal dose of medication themselves. In addition, they have to request PAS a total of 3 times, with a 30 day span in between requests. The doctor cannot administer the medication. He can only prescribe it. A family member cannot give the medication to the patient. They have to be able to put the medication in their own mouth and swallow it.

So, someone killing someone and claiming they were helping them commit suicide is still guilty of murder.
 
I saw my late mother suffer from stage 4 pancreatic cancer for
5 months following her diagnosis and it was one of the most difficult things I've ever seen in my life. I applaud Washington state and hope this law is instituted in other states around the U.S. as well.
 
Agree with the above. People need to read and understand exactly what the Death with Dignity Act is all about before making a decision whether it is good or bad. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding out there about this law.
 
jillio said:
Agree with the above. People need to read and understand exactly what the Death with Dignity Act is all about before making a decision whether it is good or bad. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding out there about this law.
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Not only that but there are people with religious beliefs who believe this is immoral and expect everyone follow their beliefs. Doesnt work that way.
 
shel90 said:
Not only that but there are people with religious beliefs who believe this is immoral and expect everyone follow their beliefs. Doesnt work that way.
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Exactly. If they believe PAS is immoral, then they don't have to choose it for themselves. Very simple.
 
This is certainly one of those controversial topics.

I struggle with how I feel about it, but admit that should I be in that situation I would want the option.
 
As long as the qualifications are strict, then YES......PAS should be an option.
Maybe they should give it another name besides PAS......PAE.
 
ASLGAL said:
This is certainly one of those controversial topics.

I struggle with how I feel about it, but admit that should I be in that situation I would want the option.
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I have the same feeling. If I were dx'd with stage 4 pancreatic cancer or something similar, I'd certainly want that option. I have serious health problems but they are not terminal.
 
I'm glad that Washington State put this option out there and left it to individuals to decide for themselves whether or not it is right for them. Assisted suicide should be a personal choice.
 
deafdyke said:
As long as the qualifications are strict, then YES......PAS should be an option.
Maybe they should give it another name besides PAS......PAE.
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No, because euthanasia, by definition is something that is done to a patient. Euthanasia would change the focus of the physcian being involved only to the degree that they are permitted to prescribe medications. PAS is the proper term to describe the activity. Death with Dignity is actually the title of the legislation.
 
I have to say that, in this case, with there being so many steps and precaustions...that I think it makes sense. The pain these people must be in is unthinkable. They have to request it three times and have to think about it for a month between each request. I think it is very sensibly set up. The having to take it themselves and prove to be mentally compent is a great touch.
 
Exactly. It is about supporting the autonomy and the dignity of the individual right up to the end.
 
rockin'robin said:
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A 66-year-old woman who had stage 4 pancreatic cancer is the first person to die under Washington state's new assisted suicide law.

Linda Fleming of Sequim died Thursday night after taking drugs prescribed under the "Death with Dignity" law that took effect in March. Assisted suicide group Compassion & Choices of Washington announced Fleming's death Friday morning.

The organization says Fleming was diagnosed last month with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

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If she was diagnosed last month, they must not have followed the three requests, each a month apart rule!
 
this is interesting, I wonder why we have this in the discourse now than say about 20 or 30 years ago?
 
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