Interested in more news on the Right to Die? ERGO circulates on a regular basis an electronic newslist with news from around the world.
News
Vermont USA on its way to legalizing Death with Dignity
Feb 8, 2013
The Vermont lawmakers heard more than seven hours of testimony about Death with Dignity last week by both supporters and opponents. Hearings began with the the Senate Health and Welfare Committee members listening to testimony by supporters including former Governor Madeleine Kunin and Attorney General William Sorrell about why a Death with Dignity law should be enacted in the state.
Quebec ADMD stops involvement in Right to Die with Dignity court case
Feb 8, 2013
In a press release AQDMD’s President Helène Bolduc reports:
AQDMD brings an end to its involvement in Ginette Leblanc’s court case.
Mrs. Ginette Leblanc has died. Members of the Quebec Association for the Right to Die with Dignity – AQDMD will fondly remember her and her loved ones’ constant support.
New guidelines from General Medical Council UK on providing medical records
Feb 8, 2013
New guidelines from the General Medical Council (GMC) for the first time make clear that doctors will be able to provide medical records to patients who want them to travel abroad for an assisted suicide without being struck off: handing over records to patients who then use them to take their own life is “too distant” from encouraging a suicide to risk their fitness to practise being called into question.
Final Exit Network USA publishes its Winter 2012-2013 Newsletter
Feb 4, 2013
Read here the most recent Final Exit Network's Newsletter Winter 2012-2013.
Newsletter 148 Japan Society for Dying with Dignity published
Jan 30, 2013
Japan Society JSDD published its Newsletter nr 148.
Oregon's 2012 Death with Dignity Report
Jan 28, 2013
Oregon's Public Health Division recently issued their 15th annual report, and consistent with all previous years, the data continue to show the law works the way it's intended: rarely used, but providing comfort to countless individuals who know they have options at the end of their lives.
Some quick facts about the usage of Oregon's law in 2012:
Assisted Suicide in Germany still formally legal
Jan 28, 2013
The Bill criminalizing commercial (a compromise from the governing coalition) assistance with suicide, on which Merkel's cabinet already reached an agreement, will not make it to the Parliament (Bundestag) as originally foreseen for the end of January. The debate has been postponed for an unidentified time. This implies that - for the time being and in cases of voluntary or terminal conditions - assisted suicide, contrary to wide spread misconceptions, will stay legal in Germany for anybody (doctors included!).
Dutch research into "dignity" in connection with end-of-life decisions
Jan 28, 2013
Dutch researchers from VUmc Amsterdam (and other Universities) report on some results from their extensive research into the concept of "dignity" and the relationship with end-of-life decisions and advanced care planning. An instrument to measure factors that might influence was developed: see the original article in Journal of Palliative Medicine, Volume 14, number 5, 2011, 578-568. (1)
Dutch Right to Die Society published 1rst quarterly Relevant, 2013-01
Jan 28, 2013
NVVE, the Dutch RtD Society published its 1rts quarterly magazine Relevant, issue 2013-01. An English summary can be read here.
For Dutch readers the complete Dutch edition.
Quebec Canada one step closer to legalization of medically-assisted dying
Jan 22, 2013
March 2012, as part of a comprehensive report on Dying With Dignity, the all-party committee of the Quebec National Assembly issued their full report (English version), including recommendations to allow legalized end-of-life choice for individuals suffering greatly at end-of-life.
The government then appointed three expert lawyers to a judicial panel to make recommendations