Dying Right: The Death With Dignity Movement

Dying Right: The Death with Dignity Movement

by Daniel Hillyard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5230 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	324 pages

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By John Smith

Death is a natural part of life, but that doesn't make it any easier to face. For many people, the thought of dying is filled with fear and uncertainty. What if we suffer? What if we become a burden to our loved ones? What if we lose our dignity?

The death with dignity movement is working to change the way we think about death. This movement advocates for the right of terminally ill patients to end their lives on their own terms, with the help of a doctor. Proponents of death with dignity argue that it is a humane and compassionate way to die, and that it gives patients control over their own end-of-life care.

The death with dignity movement has been gaining momentum in recent years. In 2016, California became the fifth state to legalize assisted dying. Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and Montana have also legalized assisted dying. And legislation is pending in several other states.

The death with dignity movement is a controversial one. Opponents of assisted dying argue that it is wrong to take a human life, even at the request of the person who is dying. They also worry that assisted dying could be abused, and that it could lead to a slippery slope where people are pressured to end their lives prematurely.

The debate over death with dignity is likely to continue for many years to come. But one thing is clear: the movement is gaining momentum, and it is forcing us to confront our own fears and beliefs about death.

The History of the Death With Dignity Movement

The death with dignity movement has its roots in the hospice movement, which began in the 1960s. Hospice is a type of end-of-life care that focuses on providing comfort and support to dying patients and their families. Hospice care is based on the belief that dying is a natural process, and that patients should be allowed to die with dignity and peace.

In the 1970s, a number of activists began to argue that the hospice movement did not go far enough. They argued that terminally ill patients should have the right to end their lives on their own terms, with the help of a doctor. This movement became known as the death with dignity movement.

The death with dignity movement gained momentum in the 1990s, when a number of high-profile cases brought the issue into the public spotlight. In 1990, Dr. Jack Kevorkian assisted in the suicide of Janet Adkins, a woman with Alzheimer's disease. Kevorkian was later convicted of murder, but his case helped to raise awareness of the death with dignity movement.

In 1994, Oregon became the first state to legalize assisted dying. Since then, four other states have legalized assisted dying, and legislation is pending in several other states.

The Ethics of Death With Dignity

The ethics of death with dignity is a complex and controversial issue. There are a number of different ethical arguments in favor of and against assisted dying.

Arguments in favor of assisted dying

• Autonomy: Proponents of assisted dying argue that it is a matter of personal autonomy. They believe that terminally ill patients should have the right to make their own decisions about their own end-of-life care, including the decision to end their lives.
• Compassion: Proponents of assisted dying also argue that it is a compassionate way to die. They believe that it can help to relieve suffering and allow patients to die with dignity and peace.
• Quality of life: Proponents of assisted dying argue that it can help to improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients. They believe that it can give patients a sense of control over their own lives and allow them to die on their own terms.

Arguments against assisted dying

• Sanctity of life: Opponents of assisted dying argue that it is wrong to take a human life, even at the request of the person who is dying. They believe that all human life is sacred, and that it should be protected at all costs.
• Slippery slope: Opponents of assisted dying also worry that it could lead to a slippery slope, where people are pressured to end their lives prematurely. They believe that once assisted dying is legalized, it will become more and more difficult to draw the line between those who are truly terminally ill and those who are simply suffering from depression or other treatable conditions.
• Abuse: Opponents of assisted dying also worry that it could be abused. They believe that there is a risk that assisted dying could be used to kill people against their will, or to coerce people into ending their lives prematurely.

The Legal Landscape of Death With Dignity

The legal landscape of death with dignity is complex and evolving. In the United States, assisted dying is legal in five states: Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Montana, and California. Legislation is pending in several other states, but it is unclear whether any of these bills will pass.

The legality of assisted dying is also being debated in other countries around the world. In 2015, Canada legalized assisted dying, and several other countries are considering following suit.

The legal landscape of death with dignity is likely to continue to evolve in the years to come. As the population ages, and as more people face the prospect of a terminal illness, the demand for assisted dying is likely to grow. It is up to each individual to decide whether or not they support assisted dying, but it is important to be informed about the issue and to understand the arguments on both sides.

### Images for alt attribute

* **[Image of a person lying in a hospice bed, surrounded by family and friends]** * **[Image of a doctor talking to a patient about assisted dying]** * **[Image of a group of people protesting against assisted dying]** * **[Image of a person taking a pill to end their life]**

Dying Right: The Death with Dignity Movement

by Daniel Hillyard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5230 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	324 pages

FREE