Modern medicine has advanced to the point where many people can be kept “alive” indefinitely by the use of machines that take over life-sustaining functions. Quantity over quality seems to be the rule.
The Hemlock Society of San Diego believes that people should have the right to end their lives when they have reached a point of unbearable suffering without any hope of recovery. To this end, we provide education about all end-of-life choices and support other organizations that share this goal.
Read more about the issues:
The kill switch for dementia sufferers: Inventor behind the suicide Sarco pod reveals plans for implant that will automatically kill patients when their condition worsens June 9, 2025The inventor of the Sarco suicide pod is building a ‘kill switch’ implant which could allow dementia sufferers to seal the time of their death years in advance. Dr Philip Nitschke, whose controversial capsule ended an American woman’s life in Switzerland last September, has told MailOnline that his newest device is nearing the testing phase. Click Here ...
Love, grief and peace: Inside the legal right to die (Canada) June 4, 2025In 2023, more than 15,000 people were approved for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Even more bear the weight of losing their loved one. Jeff Rideout is one of them. Click Here to Read the Article
When they can’t die in their own home, some terminally ill patients are welcomed into someone else’s May 27, 2025Medical aid in dying laws exist in 11 states and Washington, D.C., in cases where a patient has less than six months to live, is cognitively sound to make decisions and can self-administer the drugs that will end their lives. But what happens in the states where these laws do not exist? A growing number of ...
What voluntary assisted dying options are available for those with dementia? May 26, 2025“Although voluntary assisted dying (VAD) will be legal in every Australian jurisdiction except the Northern Territory by the end of this year, it remains entirely off-limits for people with dementia.” This is also the case in the United States. Click Here to Read the Article
My Patient Invited Me To Her Home To Watch Her Die. What I Saw When I Arrived Gave Me Goosebumps. May 26, 2025There are many who feel it is wrong for health care professionals to “play God” — to decide who lives and who dies. But one could argue that such circumstances go beyond “wrong” and “right.” It’s about acknowledging the individual’s autonomy and their decision about what is appropriate for themselves. What is “right” or “wrong” depends on ...
Medical aid in dying: 18 states debate a controversial path for peaceful passing May 20, 2025This year, 27 bills were proposed in legislatures to legalize assisted dying in 18 states. This has been common over the years, as similar bills have failed to make it through the legislative process. Click Here to Read the Article
Delaware becomes the 12th jurisdiction to allow terminally ill patients the right to die May 20, 2025On May 20, surrounded by advocates, legislators and community members, Gov. Matt Meyer signed into law House Bill 140 − the Ron Silverio/Heather Block Delaware End-of-Life Options Act. The legislation is named after two advocates who died before the bill was passed. Click Here to Read the Article
‘Not a single person shied away’: how a year chronicling end-of-life stories changed one photographer May 12, 2025Julian Kingma travelled Australia photographing the lives and deaths of people who accessed assisted dying, and those who care for them. He thinks about death differently now. Click Here to Read the Article
My Appointment With Dr. Death May 8, 2025This is an interesting article about Philip Nitschke and his invention, the Sarco euthanasia pod. Click Here to Read the Article
I’m 82, I’ve had enough and because I’m Dutch I can die April 21, 2025“Jonker wants to be one of a growing number of people – almost 400 in 2024 – that are granted euthanasia on these grounds, otherwise known as “an accumulation of geriatric conditions”. They represented almost 4 per cent of the 9,958 deaths from euthanasia in the Netherlands last year.” Click Here to Read the Article