All posts by Stephen Drake

Massachusetts Medical Society Announces Opposition to Legalization of Assisted Suicide (No on 2)

assisted suicide, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Medical Society, Our News & Commentary Blog, referendum

Last Friday, September 14, the Massachusetts Medical Society announced its opposition to ballot question 2 – in which a ‘yes’ vote would legalize physician-assisted suicide in that state.  Below is a link and the announcement in its entirety.  This is a very welcome development! Question 2: Prescribing Medication to End Life September 14, 2012 The … Continue reading Massachusetts Medical Society Announces Opposition to Legalization of Assisted Suicide (No on 2) →

Loose Ends – Last Two Essays on Bill Peace’s ‘Comfort Care As Denial of Personhood’ Up at Hastings Center Bioethics Forum

"end of life", bill peace, bioethics, Hastings Center, media, medical decisionmaking, medical discrimination, Our News & Commentary Blog

This is kind of old news by now, but it should be of interest to anyone who read previous posts on this topic.  I’d also urge anyone who hasn’t read Bill Peace’s essay to do so, along with the commentary posted on the Bioethics Forum at the Hastings Center Site. Just to refresh people’s memories … Continue reading Loose Ends – Last Two Essays on Bill Peace’s ‘Comfort Care As Denial of Personhood’ Up at Hastings Center Bioethics Forum →

Dr. Thomas Szasz Dies at Age 92, Critic of Coercion and Psychiatry

assisted suicide, libertarians, obitiatry, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide, Thomas Szasz

In the animal kingdom, the rule is, eat or be eaten; in the human kingdom, define or be defined. – Thomas Szasz Strictly speaking, assisted suicide is an oxymoron. –Thomas Szasz From the NY Times: Thomas Szasz, a psychiatrist whose 1961 book “The Myth of Mental Illness” questioned the legitimacy of his field and provided … Continue reading Dr. Thomas Szasz Dies at Age 92, Critic of Coercion and Psychiatry →

Archdiocese of Boston Newspaper Features Interview with ‘Second Thoughts’ Director John Kelly

assisted suicide, disability activists, disability rights, disability rights advocates, john kelly, Massachusetts, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, Second Thoughts

The online version of The Pilot – “the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston” – published an article focusing on ‘Second Thoughts‘ and featuring a long interview with the organization’s director, John Kelly. Disabilities group has ‘Second Thoughts’ on assisted suicide By Christopher S. Pineo   BOSTON — A group of Massachusetts residents with … Continue reading Archdiocese of Boston Newspaper Features Interview with ‘Second Thoughts’ Director John Kelly →

UK: ‘Locked-In’ Tony Nicklinson Loses Court Bid for Euthanasia; Second Thoughts and NDY in Coverage

court decisions, diane coleman, euthanasia, john kelly, media, Our News & Commentary Blog, Second Thoughts

Yesterday – August 16th, Tony Nicklinson got an answer to his request to Britain’s High Court – to overturn the existing ban on euthanasia and allow his doctor to kill him with legal immunity when he requests it.  I wrote about Nicklinson a little over a month ago and little has changed regarding what I … Continue reading UK: ‘Locked-In’ Tony Nicklinson Loses Court Bid for Euthanasia; Second Thoughts and NDY in Coverage →