2014 Vol. 28, No. 6 Patients Rights Council

Briany Maynard and the assisted -suicide campaign that went viral

rittany Maynard captured the Maynard opted not to undergo the ture. So Maynard, her husband, her B world’s attention in only a matter radiation treatment prescribed by her mother, and stepfather all moved to of days after posting her heart - doctor because of the possible side neighboring , where assisted wrenching story online in early Octo- effects and decided that doctor - suicide is legal and where Compassion ber. She was 29 years -old, newly mar- prescribed suicide was the best option & Choices —the former Hemlock Soci- ried, extremely attractive, very articu- “for me and my family.” However, she ety—is the main facilitator for lethal late, and, tragically, terminally ill — never used the word “suicide” when drug deaths. diagnosed earlier this year with end - she talked about her decision. In fact, The campaign she vehemently denied that taking stage brain cancer and given only six Compassion & Choices (C&C) has a drugs intentionally prescribed to end months to live. long history of using the highly emo- her life would be suicide. “There is not “Because the rest of my body is tional stories of terminally -ill patients a cell in my body that is suicidal or young and healthy,” she wrote in an to advance its assisted -suicide legali- that wants to die,” she told People article to CNN, “I am likely to physical- zation efforts. Unlike most of those Magazine . [ People, 10/6/14] Instead, ly hang on for a long time even cases, however, Brittany was a differ- though cancer is eating my mind. I Maynard called what she had chosen ent breed —young, charismatic, and - probably would have suffered in hos- by the usual euphe- appeared very much in control of pice care for weeks or even months. misms, “aid in dying” or “death with everything except her cancer. C&C

And my family would have had to dignity.” recognized her potential for spreading watch that.” “I did not want this night- But Maynard lived in , the assisted -suicide message, especial- mare scenario for my family,” she add- where multiple measures to legalize ly to a whole new, younger genera- ed, “so I started researching death assisted suicide had been repeatedly tion —one that highly values concepts with dignity.” [CNN.com, 10/7/14] rejected by the voters and the legisla- (continued on page 2)

Also in this Terminal diagnosis: other perspectives on dying & hope Update n early October, Brittany Maynard told Peo- to know how other patients face their predict- I ple Magazine that she had been diagnosed ed deaths. “When a political campaign with stage IV glioblastoma, an aggressive type In 2010, 24 -year -old Heather Knies was also is masked as a personal of . “I’ve discussed with many ex- decision” diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma and giv- Rita L. Marker ...... 3 perts how I would die from it,” she said, “and en only 6 months to live. She underwent sur- it’s a terrible, terrible way to die.” She further gery followed by chemotherapy and radiation “The changing meaning - of courage in the face explained that she had opted for doctor treatments. Today she is a wife, mother, and is of pending death” prescribed suicide because it was a “less terri- cancer -free. Knies said she was “heartbroken” Wesley J. Smith...... 4 fying” way to die. [ People, 10/6/14] She had over Maynard’s decision to end her life. “She Assisted-suicide advocacy undergone surgery but later rejected both [Maynard] didn’t want to go through it group obtains petition radiation therapy and hospice care because of [treatment] and everyone has the right to - names “under false possible side effects and personally unac- choose. I just want people to know there’s pretenses” ...... 5 ceptable suffering. [CNN.com, 10/7/14] another choice,” Knies said. “I just want any- Updates on states targeted As her story went viral, other patients with one faced with a deadly disease to know if you for assisted-suicide Legalization ...... 5 the same brain cancer came forward and put up a fight, you have a chance of winning, shared their personal views on dying. While no too,” she explained. [azfamily.com, 11/3/14] News briefs from home (continued on page 2) and abroad ...... 7 two cancer cases are identical, it is instructive 2014 - Vol. 28, No. 6 PRC Update Page 2

Brittany Maynard and the assisted -suicide campaign that went viral, continued from page 1 like personal “autonomy” and “choice,” end her life on November 1 in the bed- We will be seeing a lot more of Britta- concepts that C&C found —after years room she and her husband shared. He, ny Maynard at strategic times in the fu- of polling and message testing —best of course, would be there, along with ture. C&C spokesman Sean Crowley told advanced its lobbying and campaigning her mother, stepfather, and best friend. reporters, “We shot a lot of video with efforts. As C&C President Barbara She also said there was a chance that her,” adding that there will likely be more Coombs Lee told NBC’s Today Show , she would change her mind. videos released in the future. [ People, “The movement has spent 20 years In a video C&C released on October 11/19/14] preparing itself for Brittany Maynard to 30 (but filmed on October 13), Maynard But beyond C&C’s political strategies, give it real life.” [ Today, 11/18/14] appeared to be putting off her target we are still left wondering about a differ- - According to Mickey MacIntyer, death date. “I still feel good enough ent Brittany Maynard legacy―the hope C&C’s chief program officer, it took and I still have enough joy and I still filled one that could have resulted from a  C&C only a “few short weeks” after laugh and smile with my family and different choice. friends enough that it doesn’t seem like initially meeting Maynard to put to- the right time right now,” she said. “But gether “a campaign to introduce Britta- Terminal diagnosis …. continued from page 1 it will come, because I feel myself get- ny to America —online, in print and ting sicker.” through social media.” [C&C, email Stephanie Thigpen was seven months message, 10/9/14] And the online and The headlines around the world mir- pregnant when she was diagnosed with print media were all too happy to cov- rored the one in Maynard’s local Califor- stage IV glioblastoma and given a year to er the story and support the agenda. nia paper, “Terminally ill Brittany live. She had to undergo an emergency C - Maynard delays ending her life.” [ San section followed by brain surgery. As she

People Magazine was the first to Francisco Chronicle, 10/30/14] recovered in the hospital, she would look carry the story on October 6, entitled in But on November 2, a short message at the picture of her newborn son and say, part, “Why I’m Choosing to Die on My “I can do this, and I will do this.” She had a Own Terms.” CNN followed the next appeared on C&C’s website: “We're sad to announce the passing of a dear and tough battle, but she is now cancer -free. day with an article authored by Her son is now 4 years -old, and she re- Maynard, titled, “My right to death with wonderful woman, Brittany Maynard.” Tragically, she followed her plan after all cently gave birth to a little baby girl. Her dignity at 29.” Both articles contained message to Maynard: “Just because they an array of photos of Maynard and her and, on November 1, took the lethal drugs she had been prescribed. give you a deadline, doesn’t mean you husband, Dan Diaz, on their wedding have to take it.” [kdvr.com, 10/27/14] day and other pictures taken in healthi- C&C and Maynard: desired results — Maggie Karner also has stage IV glio- er times courtesy of C&C and the web- There is no doubt that C&C hit the blastoma, but she has no intention to cut site it created, thebrittanyfund.org. public relations mother -lode, using Brit- short her life. She wrote a letter to Also posted on that website was a tany Maynard as its spokesperson and Maynard, saying in part, “Brittany, if you video of Maynard and her supportive developing and orchestrating an assist- take your own life, the world will lose family―the first in a series―explaining ed -suicide campaign based on her emo- some of its beauty….” “No one is judging, why she opted to end her life. The vid- tional story. “Brittany Maynard is trans- but people are watching,” she wrote. eo went viral almost immediately. Soon formative for our movement,” Coombs “Let’s choose life for as long as we’ve Maynard’s story was headline news Lee told Time Magazine , “I’ve never felt got.” [fox2now.com, 10/30/14] Karner is worldwide. this energy or seen this level of engage- ment in any of our campaigns.” [ Time, concerned about the effect of Maynard’s The website serves two purposes: to 11/1/14] message on other patients battling to live. gain public approval for “aid in dying” and to provide a convenient conduit for As for Maynard―a vivacious, adven- That’s also the worry of Denis Strang- increased donations directly to C&C’s turous, young woman who lived life man, an Australian man whose wife died coffers. The goal is to use the “Brittany passionately, who revered personal from brain cancer. He wrote an open let- Fund” to wage expensive campaigns control and autonomy, but who felt her ter to Maynard asking if she has consid- and lobbying efforts to legalize doctor - cancer had stripped all that away―C&C ered how her public campaign will affect assisted suicide in targeted states na- and its campaign gave her a reason to the hope of fellow brain cancer patients. tionwide, but especially in California, focus beyond her immediate situation “If your story does not make them feel Maynard’s home state. and feel that she still had a purpose in that they should kill themselves, it can life. She often talked about wanting to certainly make them worry that this idea is

Maynard’s plan leave a legacy, something by which she lodging itself more firmly in the minds of On the first day of the C&C campaign, would be remembered―and C&C, for their friends, relatives, and society it- Maynard revealed that she planned to its own reasons, made that happen. self.” [Mercator.net, 10/24/14]  2014 - Vol. 28, No. 6 PRC Update Page 3

When a political campaign is masked

as a personal decision by Rita L. Marker

magine that you are standing in line money for political campaigns to legal- guage to claim that her death was not I at your supermarket pharmacy. As ize doctor-assisted suicide in targeted a suicide, but rather "death with dig- you wait to pick up your prescription, states across the country. And, to nity." That’s a perfect example of the pharmacist hands the person strengthen the resolve of the young using verbal engineering to accom- ahead of you a bottle filled with cap- woman for whom the campaign was plish social engineering. Another part sules. The prescription bottle contains named, Compassion & Choices post- of the campaign claimed that Ore- a strong barbiturate sometimes used to ed "Brittany's Card" on its website. gon’s "death with dignity" law works temporarily treat insomnia or to calm a "Let's get 1 million people to sign well, is abuse free, and contains rig- person for surgery. But this bottle Brittany's card," stated the message, orous patient safeguards. doesn't contain the usual instructions adding, "Sign the card and let Britta- Yet the facts tell a different story. to take one capsule. Instead it directs ny know you support her bravery in that person to take the entire bottle of this very tough time." Laws such as Oregon's, give health - capsules, all at the same time. But sending a message came with insurance companies a surefire way to lower health care costs: tell the patient Then, you overhear the pharmacist a catch. In a startling note of huck- you'll pay for drugs that will end her explaining, "Open each of these cap- sterism, the site stated that "By sign- life, but not those which would extend sules. Put the powder from them into ing Brittany's Card, you agree to re- her life. That has happened to some a glass. Then, mix it all into a sweet ceive periodic communication from Oregonians who had health insurance. beverage and drink it very quickly to Compassion & Choices." cause death." One of those people was Barbara Wagner, a 64 -year -old retired school Unimaginable? No. That type of prescription has been available in Or- bus driver. When her doctor diag- All the media coverage nosed her with terminal cancer, she egon since 1997. was not about a was hopeful when he gave her a pre- In early October, Brittany scription for a drug that would likely Maynard, a beautiful 29 -year -old with personal decision slow the cancer's growth and make terminal brain cancer, announced plans but rather an her more comfortable. However it to end her life by taking a massive, orchestrated campaign didn't take long for her hopes to be lethal dose of drugs prescribed by an dashed. Shortly thereafter, she was Oregon physician. She had selected aimed at changing notified by letter that her insurance November 1 as the day she would die, laws that affect wouldn't cover her life -extending pre- although, she said, that could change. everyone. scription but that it would cover her But it didn’t. Instead, she became assisted suicide. one of the more than 40,000 people Certainly, spending a few hundred who commit suicide each year in the Assisted -suicide advocates came dollars for deadly drugs is the least

United States. out swinging against those who voiced expensive treatment for cancer. Unlike most suicide cases, howev- concern over Maynard's tragic story As Derek Humphry, the cofounder er, Maynard had reached national and and suicide, claiming that hers was a of the Hemlock Society, has written, international celebrity status in the personal decision that should be re- "In the final analysis, economics, not month prior to her death, starting with spected. But they failed to the quest for broadened individual an October cover story in People mag- acknowledge that all the media cover- liberties or increased autonomy, will azine. This explosion of coverage was age was really not about a personal drive assisted suicide to the plateau of due to a public campaign facilitated choice. Instead, it was about the or- acceptable practice." by Compassion & Choices (the for- chestrated public campaign aimed at Then there's the claim that Ore- mer Hemlock Society) to legalize Or- changing laws that would personally - - gon's law has careful safeguards to egon style doctor prescribed suicide affect everyone. And so this should protect patients, including the require- in every state. raise concerns and calls for discussion. ment that a patient must knowingly The organization had established The campaign used assisted - and willingly request the drugs. How - the Brittany Maynard Fund to raise suicide advocates' poll -driven lan- (continued on page 6) 2014 - Vol. 28, No. 6 PRC Update Page 4

The changing meaning of courage in the face of pending death by Wesley J. Smith

ichael Landon, the hugely going off a diving board. He knew Society). C&C’s press release M popular television star of Bo- it was coming, and he was brave [10/6/14] applauded Maynard’s nanza , Little House on the Prairie , to the last." “courage to tell her story as she is and Highway to Heaven , died in Attitudes have changed about dis- dying and alert all Americans to the 1991 at age 54. Landon’s last act — — choice of death with dignity” as — ease and death since Landon died if you will was widely hailed as his and in my view, not for the better. “selfless and heroic.” best: He publicly announced his di- Indeed, the way things are these It is odd how enthusiastically the agnosis with terminal pancreatic can- days, many might secretly consider media has jumped through the cer, appeared on the Tonight Show Landon a chump for choosing to live “courage” and “heroic” hoops. to openly discuss his likely death until his natural end. There have been more than 700 as- with Johnny Carson —almost unprec- sisted suicides in Oregon, and edented back then —and gave several If that seems harsh, consider how — — the international media made brain none not even the first one interviews announcing his determi- received the slavish attention being nation to persevere, for example, cancer patient Brittany Maynard an international celebrity because she devoted to reporting Maynard’s in- telling Life , “If I'm gonna die, tentions. death's gonna have to do a lot of announced plans to commit assisted — fighting to get me.” suicide legal in Oregon to where More, it is striking how the re- porting about Maynard parallels the

I remember it well: Landon’s grit media’s approach to reporting Lan- and determination inspired the nation. don’s “courage” twenty -three years When he died a few months later, his Brittany Maynard ago. For example, People —which unshrinking “courage” led the obitu- once applauded Landon for fighting aries. “Goodbye Little Joe,” in the was the perfect icon to the end —now has the mirror - July 15, 1991 issue of People , exem- for the contemporary opposite take. It even made her the plified the media’s approach: emotive age: cover story on an October issue: As word of his condition spread, young, pretty, newly For the past 29 years, Brittany thousands of letters of encourage- Maynard has lived a fearless life – ment and sympathy arrived daily. wed, tragically dying, running half marathons, traveling Scores of friends visited the house through Southeast Asia for a and stood vigil at the gates of the and transgressive for year and even climbing Mount ranch. "I have X amount of ener- wanting to kill herself Kilimanjaro. gy," said Landon, "and what I have, I want to spend with my rather than face So, it's no surprise she is facing family." Landon's youngest chil- the rigors of her death the same way. On

dren, Sean, 4, and Jennifer, 7, late -stage Monday, Maynard will launch an were "emotionally distraught," online video campaign with the says longtime friend and business brain cancer. nonprofit Compassion and Choic- partner Kent McCray, "but Mi- es, an end -of -life choice advoca- chael passed his strength along to cy organization, to fight for ex- panding Death with Dignity laws them." According to colleague she moved from California so she nationwide. John Warren, Landon also spent could obtain a lethal prescription. time videotaping his last wishes to True to her word, she died at age 29. Let this fact sink in: The desire to family and friends.… The Maynard media feeding fren- commit suicide made Maynard an If his friends and family had sol- zy was orchestrated by the George international celebrity . Partly, that’s ace, it was in Landon's extraordi- Soros -funded assisted -suicide advo- because she was the perfect icon for

nary calm. Says Flynn of his old cacy group Compassion and Choices the contemporary emotive age: friend's last hours: "It was like (formerly known as the Hemlock (continued on page 6) 2014 - Vol. 28, No. 6 PRC Update Page 5

Assisted -suicide advocacy group obtains petition names “under false pretenses”

owa resident Katie Buck says she was “duped” by the assisted - concerned when she began getting emails from C&C promoting I suicide activist group Compassion & Choices (C&C), who add- assisted suicide, so she called the group’s Denver office. Her ed her name and zip code —without her knowledge or con- suspicions were confirmed. — - sent to a petition in favor of legalizing doctor assisted suicide. According to Buck, C&C “tricked me… to put me on a petition She was very upset when she found out how her name and zip saying that I am in favor of legalizing physician -assisted suicide code were being used because she personally opposes precisely in my state.” And they listed her by her zip code —a sure sign what the petition supports. that the petition is intended to be a lobbying tool for prescribed - So Buck produced a video, titled “A Petition Without Choic- suicide legalization. As the C&C representative on the phone es” and posted it online. It details how C&C “used sympathy to told Buck, the petition will be “an ongoing thing” to show law- steal information for political gain.” makers increasing numbers of supporters. After Buck read an article on Brittany Maynard’s heartrend- What concerns Buck is that “Briany’s Card” and the ing story, she followed a link in the article to The Brittany Fund “Condolence Card” for the family posted a er Briany’s death website created by C&C. Prominently placed on the home page were used as a naonal ploy to get huge numbers signatures was a section called “Sign Brittany’s Card.” Below that it read, “under false pretenses.” “There is no way that legislators can “Let’s get 1 million people to sign Brittany’s card. Add your look at this peon and say that it accurately represents the name and wish her well. Let her know how much you care.” cizens of their state,” she said. Then there was a place to put a name, email address, and zip Buck recommends that others, who signed the cards and code, followed by, “Sign the card and let Brittany know you sup- object to C&C using their personal informaon to advance its port her bravery in this very tough time.” lobbying efforts, call C&C’s Denver office and insist that their Moved by compassion, Buck signed the card thinking that names be removed from the peon. The number is 800 -247 - she was simply adding her name to a likely huge list of others 7421. [“A Petition Without Choices,” posted online on 11/25/14 sending their best wishes and prayers to Brittany. Buck became at http://vimeo.com/112825086] 

Updates on states targeted for assisted -suicide legalization  On November 13, 2014, the New Jersey to advance its political campaigns, C&C done in other states but just allow a State Assembly passed the “Aid in Dy- claimed that, in the wake of Maynard’s patient who’s terminally ill with six ing for the Terminally Ill Act” (A 2270), assisted suicide, legislators from Califor- months to request medicine so they an Oregon -style, prescribed -suicide bill nia and 11 other states “have pledged” can die on their own terms instead of that was reintroduced in February after to introduce bills to legalize doctor - having to go into hospice,” he said. it died in the last legislative session due prescribed suicide. Those states, C&C [Billings Gazette, 11/20/14] to a lack of interest. This time, the said, are Colorado , Indiana , Illinois , Last January, way before Maynard be- measure passed just barely, getting the Iowa , Minnesota , Nevada , New Mexi- came a news item, Nevada State Sen. minimum 41 votes required. The vote co , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Wis- David Parks and Sen. Tick Segerblom (41 -31) was the result of intense lobby- consin , and Wyoming . [C&C Press Re- announced within days of each other ing by Compassion & Choices (C&C) and lease, 11/19/14] that they independently would intro- the bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman John duce Oregon -like bills in the next legis- Burzichelli, who had to pull the bill from Of those states, only Pennsylvania cur- - lative session. There’s been no further a scheduled Assembly floor vote in June rently has an assisted suicide bill (HB word on the status of those proposals. due to a lack of votes. It looked like the 2548) pending in the legislature. It was [mynews3.com, 1/24/14; rgi.com, bill would again meet the same fate, introduced in the House by Mark Rozzi

but in the early morning hours before on October 15, 2014, and referred to 1/29/14 the November vote, supporters man- the Judiciary Committee the same day. In Colorado, Rep. Lois Court and Rep. aged to garner the votes that were No further action has been taken. In Joann Ginal said they are currently needed. [politickernj.com, 11/13/14] addition, Sen. Daylin Leach reportedly drafting a bill modeled after the Oregon The bill now goes to the Senate where plans to reintroduce his 2013 “death law. They plan to introduce it during it will face an even tougher battle. But with dignity” bill next year. [ People, the 2015 session that begins in January. even if it were to pass, Gov. Chris Chris- 11/7/14; WESA -FM, 11/28/14] [Coloradoan , 11/20/14; AP, 11/20/14] tie is on record saying that he opposes In Wyoming , Rep. Dan Zwonitzer has So far, in the remainder of the states the bill and would veto it. indicated that he plans to sponsor an C&C cited, no specific legislators have  Using the occasion of what would have assisted -suicide bill next year. “It’ll be a announced their intentions to intro- been Brittany Maynard’s 30 th birthday scaled -down version of what they’ve duce assisted -suicide measures.  2014 - Vol. 28, No. 6 PRC Update Page 6

When a political campaign is masked by a personal decision, continued from page 3

ever, once the lethal prescription is What if you found out your elderly drugs? In Oregon, most assisted - provided, there are no safeguards. mother's doctor prescribed assisted - suicide deaths are facilitated by Com- There's no requirement that the patient suicide drugs for her, even though passion and Choices or its affinity knowingly and willingly takes the she didn't have serious physical symp- groups, which have networks of doc- deadly overdose. There's no way to toms but wanted to die because she tors willing to assist suicides. know if the patient was tricked or was worried about being a burden on forced into taking them. you? Oregon's official reports indicate When all is said and done, the de- that fear of being a burden is a major bate was not about Brittany Maynard Nonetheless, assisted -suicide ac- — reason many people give for wanting and how she chose to die. It was tivists say the state’s annual reports — — assisted suicide, while few people and is about whether laws will be based on information from doctors changed to affect how you and your who prescribed the fatal drugs —show reportedly request the lethal drugs because of pain or fear of pain. loved ones could be pressured into that there have been no problems with taking a deadly overdose under the the law. This, too, is a claim, not evi- What if your daughter who had  label "death with dignity." dence. cancer and a history of mental illness According to the American Medi- was given a prescription for assisted cal News , Oregon officials in charge suicide after a psychiatrist evaluated Rita L. Marker , J.D., is the execu- of issuing the annual reports have her mental status by a brief telephone tive director of the Patients Rights acknowledged that "there's no way to conversation? In Oregon, a Council. She is a member of the know if additional deaths went unre- "psychiatric evaluation" by phone was California Bar Association, the ported." Indeed, the official summary considered sufficient in at least one of District of Columbia Bar Association, accompanying one annual report not- the very few cases where an evalua- and is admitted to

ed that there is no way to know if in- tion was even reported. practice before the formation provided by the prescribing Or, what if your son's long -time United States

physicians was accurate or complete. doctor refused to prescribe assisted Supreme Court . An Without doubt, there is much to suicide for him, but an assisted - earlier version of her consider before jumping on the Com- suicide advocacy group referred him article appeared in passion and Choices public -relations to a doctor he had never seen before, American Thinker, bandwagon. and that doctor prescribed the lethal 10/31/14.

The changing meaning of courage in the face of pending death, continued from page 4

young, pretty, newly wed, tragically ly dying —but there would have been and are using —her tragedy for their dying, and transgressive for wanting no cover stories in People or applause own purposes —policy advocacy, to kill herself rather than face the from Rosie O’Donnell. There would ratings, Internet hits, etc. —can’t say rigors of late stage brain cancer. be no plans to introduce a “Brittany’s the same. The words of Canadian Law” to increase hospice participation journalist Andrew Coyne keep rico- But that alone doesn’t explain as there are plans afoot to use her death cheting around my brain: “ A society why she received the kind of atten- as a crowbar to legalize assisted sui- that believes in nothing can offer no tion usually reserved for movie stars, cide across the nation. In fact, we argument even against death. A cul- rock stars, or presidential politicians. would never have heard of her. ture that has lost its faith in life She was featured in Time , the New cannot comprehend why it should York Times , the Los Angeles Times , That speaks volumes about the be endured.”  USA Today , CNN, PBS, ABC, CBS, state of our culture: If assisted suicide NBC, and on, and on —just do a now defines “courage” and equates Google search, the list doesn’t end. I with “death with dignity,” doesn’t that Wesley J. Smith, J.D., is a senior fel- mean, you know you’ve hit the big strongly imply that people who low at the Discovery time when Rosie O’Donnell lauds choose to “fight against the dying of Institute on Human you on The View ! [10/10/14] the light,” like Landon, are undigni- Exceptionalism and a fied and perhaps less courageous? But what if Maynard followed Lan- consultant for the don’s path? She would still have been Maynard wasn’t nihilistic. She Patients Rights young, pretty, newly wed, and tragical- was just scared. Those who used — Council. 2014 - Vol. 28, No. 6 PRC Update Page 7 News briefs from home & abroad . . .

 Switzerland: A Swiss study, published in the journal Euro- who cannot end their lives without assistance, thereby pean Psychiatry, found that “witnessing death by assisted condemning them to “horrific suffering… akin to torture.” suicide impacts the mental health of family members and Lawyers for the federal government countered that the friends.” Researchers conducted a cross -sectional survey court’s ruling 21 years ago still applies and that an absolute of 85 family members or close friends who witnessed an ban on euthanasia and assisted suicide is necessary to pro- assisted suicide facilitated by the organization Exit tect vulnerable patients. A ruling by the Supreme Court is Deutsche Schweiz in Switzerland, where the practice is expected next spring. [ Canadian Medical Association Jour- legal if done for “unselfish” motives. Researchers assessed nal, 10/16/14; Vancouver Sun , 10/16/14] the respondents 14 to 24 months after the assisted sui-  cide. The results showed that about 20% of those surveyed The Netherlands: According to a headline in the Nether- had full or partial post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lands Times (online), Dutch Minister of Public Health Edith 16% had symptoms of depression, 6% exhibited anxiety Schippers believes “[e]uthanasia should lead to organ do- symptoms, and 4.9% experienced “complicated grief.” nation.” Schippers, along with doctors from Erasmus Medi- “Witnessing the unnatural death of a significant person,” cal Centre in Rotterdam and the University Hospital in researchers concluded, “seems to have a strong impact on Maastricht, is developing a protocol for doctors and peo- ple who want to donate their organs after they are eu- the bereaved, which may lead to severe mental health thanized. While Schippers said that the protocol is not in- problems.…” [ European Psychiatry, 2/11/11] tended to become a “hunt for organs” or to increase the PRC consultant Wesley J. Smith put the study’s findings in number of available organs, most of those involved with perspective. “By way of comparison: 11% of American sol- the protocol said it will. “An estimated 5 to 10% of people diers serving in Afghanistan have PTSD, and 20% of Iraq who are euthanized could be considered for organ dona- veterans,” he wrote. “So, witnessing assisted suicide would tion,” said Dr. Gert van Dijk, a medical ethicist from Eras- appear to be equivalent in upset to serving in war mus Medical Centre. “Five percent does not seem like zones.” [Human Exceptionalism Blog, National Review , much, but this still means 250 to 500 potential organs eve- 11/24/14] ry year.” Dr. van Dijk further explained that the number of available organs could even double. [ Netherlands Times,  Canada: On October 15, 2014, the Supreme Court of Cana- 11/26/14; Bioedge, 11/29/14] da heard arguments in Carter v. Canada , a case challenging About a month ago, one euthanasia case helped to pave the constitutionality of the country’s longstanding laws the way for the new euthanasia/organ protocol, particular- prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide. Carter is the ly for the Dutch media. Dicky Ringeling, 61, wanted to be second such challenge to Canada’s Criminal Code in a little euthanized and donate her organs after being diagnosed over 20 years. In the first challenge, Rodriguez v. British with an aggressive form of MS. After she died and her or- Columbia, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality gans harvested and transplanted into waiting recipients, of the statutes. But during the October hearing, the plain- headlines across the country praised her as a “real hero- tiffs in Carter, along with the British Columbia Civil Liberties ine” who died but saved five lives. [ Dagelijkse Standaard, Association, argued that times have changed and these 10/18/14] laws unfairly discriminate against people with disabilities (continued on page 8)

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News briefs from home and abroad, continued from page 7 The Patients Rights Council is a human rights group formed to promote and defend the right of all patients to be One very real ethical concern regard- and it broke my heart to see her like treated with respect, dignity and ing coupling euthanasia with organ that. Not being able to help her or compassion and to work with individuals ease her suffering was too much to and organizations to resist attitudes, donation is that vulnerable patients, programs and policies which threaten the who view their lives as having little if bear,” the mother said. “She wasn’t lives of those who are medically any value, will decide that being eu- my angelic child anymore, she was vulnerable. To those ends, the PRC com- piles well -documented and up -to -date thanized and gifting their organs is just a shell. I wanted to have beautiful information on a whole range of end -of - the best way to give their lives the memories of Nancy, not soul -crushing life issues, including health care advance ones,” the mother added. So she and directives, futile care policies, health care meaning they so want. - Nancy’s father went to the hospital reform, and doctor prescribed death.  United Kingdom: For the first time in The Update is available to the general ethics committee requesting an end public; suggested minimum donation is the history of British jurisprudence a to Nancy’s suffering and her life. The $25.00 [U.S.] a year. Add $3.00 for foreign judge has ruled that a severely disa- hospital took their case to the High postage. bled person —who was not terminally Court. On August 7, after reading the Executive Director: Rita Marker, J.D. ill, not on life support, and was mother’s pleas, Justice Eleanor King Assistant Director: Jason Negri, J.D breathing on her own —could be de- instantly ruled that it was in the best Consultant: Wesley J. Smith, J.D. hydrated to death. The person was interest of both mother and daughter Editor: Kathi Hamlon Nancy Fitzmaurice, 12, who was born to withhold all Nancy’s fluids. Doctors blind with hydrocephalus, meningitis, began dehydrating her the same day. Patients Rights Council and septicemia. She was being nour- The mother said that Nancy died hor- P.O. Box 760 ished through a tube. According to her ribly two weeks later, adding, “I would Steubenville, OH 43952 USA 800 -958 -5678 or 740 -282 -3810 mother, the 12 -year -old was in agony do it all again —it just was for Nan- www.paentsrightscouncil.org after a routine kidney stone operation cy.” [Western Daily Press, 10/26/14; last May. “Nancy was screaming and Metro.co.uk, 10/28/14; STV, Copyright © 2014 Paents Rights Council

writhing in agony for 24 hours a day 10/28/14] 

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