Category Archives: safeguards

Wall Street Journal – NDY’s Coleman & Drake Pen Op-ed on Assisted Suicide, Brain Death and Advance Directives

advance directives, assisted suicide, brain death, media coverage, op-ed, Our News & Commentary Blog, safeguards, Wall Street Journal

Today’s (April 6, 2012) edition of the Wall Street Journal features an op-ed by Diane Coleman and Stephen Drake of Not Dead Yet.  It’s titled ‘Second Thoughts’ Grow on Assisted Suicide.”  You can read the first two paragraphs below.  At this time, full access to the article is available only to subscribers of the paper.  … Continue reading Wall Street Journal – NDY’s Coleman & Drake Pen Op-ed on Assisted Suicide, Brain Death and Advance Directives →

Washington State: Grieving Relative Compares Legally Scheduled Suicide to Execution

assisted suicide, Conflation and Con jobs, executions, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, safeguards, suicide, Washington state

To be honest, the letter from Katie Densley in the Spokesman-Review on Sunday didn’t surprise me at all.  That is, the content of the letter didn’t surprise me.  The fact that her letter was published did surprise me.  I suspect there are more stories like hers in Washington – and even more in Oregon.  But … Continue reading Washington State: Grieving Relative Compares Legally Scheduled Suicide to Execution →

New Guidelines for Determining Brain Death – But Will Hospitals Actually Follow Them?

"end of life", brain death, organ donation, Our News & Commentary Blog, policy, reality check, safeguards

From USA Today – “When is someone brain dead? Experts revise guidelines“: Determining brain death is a complex process that requires dozens of tests to make sure doctors come to the correct conclusion. With that goal in mind, the American Academy of Neurology has issued new guidelines — an update of guidelines first written 15 … Continue reading New Guidelines for Determining Brain Death – But Will Hospitals Actually Follow Them? →

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

bioethics, media coverage, organ donation, Our News & Commentary Blog, Ruben Navarro, safeguards

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) →

Seattle Weekly – “Terminal Uncertainty”

assisted suicide, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, professional accountability, research, safeguards, Washington state

Just out today, the Seattle Weekly has an in-depth article exploring the uncertainties surrounding a medical prognosis of having six-months to live and its implications for impending legislation for legalization of assisted suicide in Washington state. From the article: The law has deeply divided doctors, with some loath to help patients end their lives and … Continue reading Seattle Weekly – “Terminal Uncertainty” →