All posts by Stephen Drake

Massachusetts: Good News on Mass. Medical Society – Organization reaffirms opposition to assisted suicide

assisted suicide, john kelly, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Medical Society, Our News & Commentary Blog

As readers of this blog know, there is currently a drive in Massachusetts to put legalization of assisted suicide on the ballot next fall.  Naturally, there has been a lot of concern regarding diversity in a coalition opposing the legalization of assisted suicide in that state.  One source of concern has been whether or not … Continue reading Massachusetts: Good News on Mass. Medical Society – Organization reaffirms opposition to assisted suicide →

Canadian Assisted Suicide Case Sparks Dueling Letters on Disability

Alison Davis, assisted suicide, Canada, Council of Canadians with Disabilities, court cases, diane coleman, disability rights advocates, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, Rhonda Wiebe

Canadian assisted suicide proponents lost a bid to legalize assisted suicide through Parliament last year.  This year, they turned to the courts to challenge Canada’s laws against assisted suicide and euthanasia as unconstitutional.  The case is now before the Canadian court in Vancouver and the proceedings began November 14, 2011.  Plaintiffs include a woman with … Continue reading Canadian Assisted Suicide Case Sparks Dueling Letters on Disability →

Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida and Medical Killing – Current News from DRI and a History Supplement from Me

disability rights international, euthanasia, hydrocephalus, medical killings, medical neglect, Netherlands, Our News & Commentary Blog, spina bifida

Yesterday, someone forwarded me the latest mailing from Disability Rights International (DRI), this particular one came in the form of a message from the organization’s president, Laurie Ahern.  The shortest explanation of the organization’s mission can be found in its mission statement on the “about” page of their site: “Disability Rights International is dedicated to … Continue reading Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida and Medical Killing – Current News from DRI and a History Supplement from Me →

Followup – DutchNews.nl Corrects Errors in Euthanasia Story While Associated Press Ignores Its Errors

assisted suicide, Associated Press, corrections, DutchNews.nl, euthanasia, journalistic ethics, media issues, misinformation, Netherlands, Our News & Commentary Blog

As promised in last week’s blog entry, I contacted responsible parties at both the Associated Press and DutchNews.nl about needed corrections in a Dutch group’s advocacy for ‘mobile’ euthanasia teams that could provide that “service” to people in their own homes if their own doctors wouldn’t cooperate with their wishes. The AP has a Statement … Continue reading Followup – DutchNews.nl Corrects Errors in Euthanasia Story While Associated Press Ignores Its Errors →

New Move to Expand Euthanasia in the Netherlands – Associated Press and DutchNews.nl Misrepresent Dutch Practice

Associated Press, DutchNews.nl, euthanasia, journalistic ethics, Netherlands, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check

It’s hardly news when word comes out from the Netherlands that either the government, medical professionals or some private organization are seeking to expand the scope of the euthanasia laws.  After all, the consistent trend in the Netherlands has been to expand the practices of euthanasia and assisted suicide by expanding eligibility criteria, as we’ve … Continue reading New Move to Expand Euthanasia in the Netherlands – Associated Press and DutchNews.nl Misrepresent Dutch Practice →