Freedom to Die: People, Politics, and the Right-to-Die Movement

Freedom to Die: People, Politics, and the Right-to-Die Movement

St. Martin's Griffin/St Martin's Press, 175 5th Ave., New York, NY 10010. 422p., bibliog.., index. ISBN 0-312-25389-3. $14.95.
Derek Humphry, Mary Clement. 2000.

Discussions on the issue of the right to die, voluntary euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide have become more prevalent in the past few years as people examine the dignity of those who are dying. Moral issues are always at the top when these discussions arise and religion plays a big part in defeating any laws that may help people decide when they want to die. One state, Oregon, now has legalized physician-assisted suicide. This is a very informative book that tells about the right-to-die movement, a battle to gain acceptance to the right-to-die, political and court battles, insight on how Oregon came to pass its law, and why the AMA, the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, and many in government powerfully oppose choice in dying by individuals.

The is a sober and deeply controversial book written by Derek Humphry, the founder of the Hemlock Society and Mary Clement, attorney and president of Gentle Closure, Inc., an organization that assists people in addressing all end-of-life concerns. As health care become more and more expensive, many individuals who have a terminal disease do not want to burden their extended families with the grief and expense of being kept alive. This book is an excellent resource, providing a great deal of information that is not available elsewhere. Many will not want the book to be available but, nevertheless, it is a recommended book for all public and academic libraries and would be useful in health science libraries.

Keywords: Right to Die; Public Opinion; Law and Legislation
020610
BK021134

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