Welcome to the Nexus of Ethics, Psychology, Morality, Philosophy and Health Care

Welcome to the nexus of ethics, psychology, morality, technology, health care, and philosophy

Monday, November 7, 2016

Assisted-Suicide Fight Moves to Colorado

Dan French
The Wall Street Journal
Originally posted October 16, 2016

The latest front in the battle over doctor-assisted suicide is unfolding in Colorado, where voters will consider a ballot measure next month that would permit physicians to aid terminally ill patients in dying.

Proposition 106 would allow adults who have six months or less to live, and are mentally competent, to take medication prescribed by a doctor to end their lives.

If it passes, Colorado would be the fifth state to have a law that allows the practice, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Oregon—which is the model for Colorado’s proposal— along with Vermont and Washington have enacted similar measures. California’s law permitting doctor-assisted suicide took effect in June after it passed the state legislature last year.

In a sixth state, Montana, the state supreme court ruled that doctors who provide “aid in dying” are allowed to use a terminally ill patient’s consent as a defense in court if they are charged with homicide.

The article is here.