…opping with the individual to find a physician who will provide the fatal drug, such as in the case of Kate Chaney. There is nothing in the proposed legislation that would prevent an abusive caregiver or family member from steering the individual toward physician assisted suicide, witnessing the request form, picking up the lethal dose, and even administering the drug. Because no independent witness is required at the death, there is no assurance…

…that her brain was still functioning and ignored the possibility that the drug overdose was inhibiting primitive reflexes. (6) Equally shocking was the case of Ruben Navarro, a young man disabled by a neurological disorder, who did not die immediately when his ventilator was removed, but died eight hours later after his body was flooded with drugs and the antiseptic Betadine in preparation for organ donation. Although the surgeon involved was late…