Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

I’ve been intending to write something about the complicated relationship between statutes governing brain death and the actual protocols used to determine when someone is brain dead. That will have to wait for another time. Right now, it looks like the state of Virginia is poised to streamline the requirements for declaring a patient “brain … Continue reading Virginia: Easing Standards for Declaration of Brain Death – and Increasing Errors →

Clair Lewis: At the end of life’s tether (UK)

February 3, 2010assisted suicide, clair lewis, euthanasia, medical killings, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide, United KingdomStephen Drake

There has been a lot happening in the UK in the past couple of weeks and I’ll be writing on it in the days and weeks to come. There have been a couple of court cases, and two famous authors promoting euthanasia and assisted suicide – all of this in the UK and in a … Continue reading Clair Lewis: At the end of life’s tether (UK) →

The Song That Is Sung at Final Exit Network Meetings (Or Should Be)

January 26, 2010final exit network, humor, Our News & Commentary Blog, satireStephen Drake

About two weeks ago, an interview with a member of the group “Fear Factory” included the news that the group’s new album includes a cut titled “Final Exit.” Below is an excerpt from the interview with group member Burton Bell: KNAC.COM: “Final Exit” is a suitably grim note to end the album on, is that … Continue reading The Song That Is Sung at Final Exit Network Meetings (Or Should Be) →

NBC Dateline: “A Matter Of Time” (Ruben Navarro)

January 25, 2010bioethics, media coverage, organ donation, Our News & Commentary Blog, Ruben Navarro, safeguardsStephen Drake

When checking the blog stats this morning, I noticed a huge jump in hits yesterday. It took me a bit to figure out why, since it’s been a few days since I’ve posted anything. It turns out that NBC Dateline broadcast a story on the death of Ruben Navarro and the trial of Dr. Hootan … Continue reading NBC Dateline: “A Matter Of Time” (Ruben Navarro) →

The Guardian (UK) – Charlotte Raven: Should I take my own life?

January 20, 2010assisted suicide, euthanasia, huntington's chorea, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide, United KingdomStephen Drake

Honestly, a lot of what I get to read for my work is pretty dreary stuff. Disabled people who want to kill themselves, family members who want to kill incapacitated “loved ones,” and elderly guys getting a pass from the legal system when they kill their ill wives are just some of the fun things … Continue reading The Guardian (UK) – Charlotte Raven: Should I take my own life? →