Stephen Hawking Endorses Assisted Suicide, Saying “We Don’t Let Animals Suffer,” Proving that Being a Genius in One Area Doesn’t Stop You From Saying Stupid Stuff Outside of That Area

…what’s your definition of “terminal?” And about those animals…. Do you really think that chickens, cattle, etc. live comfortably in factory farming conditions? Maybe you were just talking about pets. Try reading this before you wax poetic about “suffering” and pets: Let’s put this pet theory to sleep Excerpt:   …the statistics on the euthanasia rates of animal rates in shelters paint a grim picture. The reasons owners abandon them there aren’t ver…

John Kelly’s Open Letter to the House of Lords on UK Assisted Suicide Bill

…munity, everyone knows people who have been labeled ‘terminal,’ it’s actually a bit of a joke. One Second Thoughts membersays that he would certainly have used assisted suicide after his diagnosis with ALS (motor neuron disease) in 1956. He is now glad it wasn’t available, because he got the opportunity to live the 60 years to the present, as his condition stabilized on its own. Austerity is the catchphrase in both the US and the UK, so the media…

NDY Articles and Letters Published in NJ Press Kick Butt

…ng voluntarily.” What he doesn’t mention is that the witnesses don’t actually have to know you, but can simply verify your I.D. How does a stranger know if you are being coerced behind closed doors? Mr. Amick also says that the doctor writes “a prescription for a lethal dose of barbiturates for the patient to self-administer when — and if — he or she decided to do so.” But the bill doesn’t have any safeguards after the doctor writes the lethal pre…

Disability Rights Leadership Institute on Bioethics: Advancing the Disability Rights Perspective on Bioethics Issues

…rrent discussion groups (four in total) led by experts who could have readily presented fully on the topics, but gave their time to facilitate valuable dialogue that elicited experiences, insights, ideas and strategies from all DRLIB participants. Advocacy & Media – Marilyn Golden, Ari Ne’eman and Diane Coleman Fighting the Bioethics War – William Peace (Syracuse University Jeannette Watson Distinguished Visiting Professor), Joseph Stramondo (PhD…

Second Thoughts Connecticut Negotiates POLST/MOLST Legislation With Consumer Protections We Can Live With

…. While the typical advance directive requires some time and thought to apply it to a given situation, POLST/MOLST orders are immediately effective medical directives. We’ve elaborated on our POLST concerns in public comments submitted to the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Approaching Death. Fortunately, there is now a role model for disability activism on POLST. Second Thoughts Connecticut successfully resisted a 2013 POLST bill in their st…