News

Washington's Death with Dignity Act after 9 months, 4Mar10

Pro-euthanasia bid for SA upper house, 3Mar10

Terminally ill 'unable to die at home for lack of nursing cover', 1Mar10

British PM also out of touch on physician assisted dying, 27Feb10

British issue new rules on assisted-suicide prosecution, 25Feb10

Massachusetts mulls right-to-die bill, 22Feb10

New British poll shows clear support for assisted suicide, 21Feb10

Quebec doctors back 'right to die', 16Feb10

PM out of touch with Australians on physician assisted dying, 12Feb10

Pain follows many cancer patients to the end, 12Feb10

We 'tip-toe' to barrier of assisted suicide, says ethics of death expert, 10Feb10

End of life treament and a natural death, 09Feb10

Sir Terry Pratchett calls for reasoned choice, 01Feb10

Family travels to Swiss clinic to help mother 'die with dignity', 30Jan10

Only clearer laws can bring compassion to euthanasia debate, 27Jan10

Bill launched to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland, 21Jan10

Why we must talk about death, 09Jan10

UK care homes forcing elderly to have feeding tubes fitted, 06Jan10

Quebecers' opinions to be sought on right-to-die issue, 03Dec09

My life, my choice, writes Canadian journalist, 24Nov09

Suicide clinics give patients "much-needed service" says clergyman, 24Nov09

Change of heart sinks SA euthanasia bill, 19Nov09

Vic Attorney General Hulls refuses to meet DWDV patron, 19Nov09

Greens push to legalise euthanasia in WA, 19Nov09

Tasmanian euthanasia bill voted down, 4Nov09

Living wills rejecting medical care upheld in NSW Supreme Court, 04Sep09

Montana court to rule on assisted suicide case, 31Aug09

Assisted dying: what's disability got to do with it, 26Aug09

Nitschke urges ACT law change, 26Aug09

There are more humane ways to die than starving, 25Aug09

Aged care industry fights Tasmanian 'right to die' bill, 24Aug09

Thailand commission recommends legalising advance directives, 22Aug09

Talking often, and calmly, about dying, 20Aug09

Rossiter case not isolated, says nurses union boss, 17Aug09

Support for Christian Rossiter's right not to be fed, 17Aug09

Quadriplegic wins right to starve to death, 15Aug09

The alternative to euthanasia?, 12Aug09

Support for Miklos Somogyi's right to die, 9Aug09

Dying man wins right to die, 6Aug09

Nursing care group asks for court advice on keeping man alive, 6Aug09

Study finds tiny percent of dying use Oregon's Act, 5Aug09

Assisted suicide law to apply in Britain and abroad, 3Aug09

Let's talk about dying with honesty, 2Aug09

The unbearable agony of being, 2Aug09

Former GP questioned by police over Dignitas death, 31Jul09

MP pledges Bill to legalise euthanasia in UK, 31Jul09

US doctors warn Tasmanian bill too strict, 31Jul09

Legalised euthanasia not linked to reduced use of palliative care - Belgian study, 30Jul09

Assisted suicide: legal aid, Guardian editorial, 30Jul09

Significant victory for assisted suicide in UK, 30Jul09

Obama supports living wills, 29Jul09

100 things, leading to a single choice, 26Jul09

UK public supports assisted suicide for terminally ill, 25Jul09

Clampdown on Dignitas suicide clinic, 18Jul09

Date with death - the state of dying with dignity in NZ, 18Jul09

Quebec physicians tentatively propose legal euthanasia, 16Jul09

Assisted suicide issue should not be left to one Swiss clinic, 15Jul09

Oregon doctors increasing participation in Dying With Dignity Act, 8Jul09

Sisters face death with dignity and reverence, 8Jul09

House of Lords rejects assisted dying law, 7Jul09

Voluntary euthanasia advocate admits helping man to die, 4July09

Dying with Dignity submission to Human Rights Consultation, 1Jul09

Moved by mother's 'painful and undignified' death, 28Jun09

Marshall Perron in push for Queensland euthanasia laws, 28Jun09

UK religious leaders oppose 'legal euthanasia' move, 28Jun09

American Medical Association opposition to assisted suicide, challenge by advocate for terminally ill, 17Jun09

11th year report shows Oregon law continues to be safe, 16Jun09

Andalusia approves first law in Spain on dignified dying, 10Jun09

Living wills legislation needs 'safeguards' - ACL attempts to derail WA dying with dignity bill, 10Jun09

When to say goodbye: ethicist argues for assisted death with dignity, 5Jun09

Dignified death is a right, argues Greg Barns as Tasmania considers death with dignity bill, 1Jun09

Tasmanian man fighting for the right to die, 30May09

First person dies under Washington assisted suicide law, 22May09

Tasmanian party lines blurred on voluntary euthanasia bill, 22May09

British House of Lords to vote on assisted suicide, 19May09

RCN to give nurses guidance on discussing assisted dying with patients, 14May09

Suicide expert turns on 'Dr Death', UK, 9May09

Health Minister says patient's lives are being artificially extended, Adelaide, 8May09

100 UK MPs call for debate on assisted dying, UK, 1May09

Care providers change language of death, Indiana, USA, 27Apr09

Right to die law gains support in W.A., 24Apr09

Canadian professor can proceed with suicide research, 24Apr09

Scottish parliament to debate 'assisted suicide' bill, 24Apr09

Society's challenge: finding a better way to die, says lawyer & bio-ethicist, Apr09

Nurse backing for assisted suicide, UK, 20Apr09

Listen to patients about suffering, says intensive care consultant, 7Apr09

Doctors proving reluctant to assist in patient deaths, Montana USA, 4Apr09

Allowing people to arrange their death is a simple act of kindness, says Prof. A C Grayling, 31Mar09

Allow assisted suicide, expert on law, health urges Canada, 25Mar09

Pain of the living dead: the reality of nursing homes, 19Mar09

'Death with dignity Act' rules finalised, Washington, USA, 21Feb09

Cardinal chose dying with dignity, Seoul, Korea, 18Feb09

GP support for euthanasia growing in UK, 5Feb09

We do not let dogs and horses suffer as we allow humans to suffersays Peter Baume, 4Feb09

Adventurer Kym Bonython wants right to die, 2Jan09

Dr Syme interviewed by police again 12Dec08

Victorian doctor's survey published in the Journal of Medical Ethics supports medically assisted dying, 12Jan08

Director of nursing provides death with dignity at the Beaumont, 24Dec07

Dr Peter Singer: Turning health workers into torturers—the case of an 84yo man with brain damage and multiple organ failure, 20Dec07

Great majority of oncologists show insufficient empathy, US study shows, 18Dec07

An assisted death is right for all, argues UK Dr Chris Cooper, 11Dec07

Toronto Catholic Archdiocese sponsors international anti-PAD conference, 7Dec07.

Lay Catholics say Vatican has gone too far on denying death for those in a permanent vegetative state, 7Dec07

Mexico City catches up with the times on refusal of treatment, 4Dec07

India considers assisted dying for those who are permantently confined to bed and suffering badly, 28Nov07

UK College of Nursing has head in sand, says Professor, 25Nov07

Mexico City Catches Up With the Times on Refusal Of Treatment, 24Nov07

Andrews holds Menzies despite swing, accused of tearing down opponent's campaign posters, 24Nov07

Charlotte Allen, religious author, passes on a good death, slamming those with a different view in the process, 15Nov07.

Homeless Dignitas upsets the natives, 9Nov07

Oregon provides peace of mind, illustrated with profile of typical sufferer, 5Nov07

Euthanasia campaigner, Dr Rodney Syme, challenges police to arrest him, 5Nov07

Euthanasia advocate, June Burns, takes her own life after a long struggle with advanced illness, 1Nov07

AMA President claims half a victory in a curious piece of interpretation, 26Oct07

Unitarian Minister George Exoo foils Irish plans to extradite him for "assisting a suicide" in Ireland, 26Oct07

Philip Nitschke targets anti-choice minister in federal election, 26Oct07

American Medical Women's Association takes supportive approach to PAD, 18Oct07

UK euthanasia campaigner in will-appeal so others don't end up in the position his wife is now in, 13Oct07

A fight for the end of life for Croydon's Ella Sharpe, 02Oct07

The Hippocratic oath adapts over time, 01Oct07

End-of-life laws are not abused, shows official study published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, 26Sep07

Doctor's group says AMA euthanasia view is "out of step", 18Sep07

Vatican recalcitrant on vegetative patients, claiming artificial hydration and nutrition is not medical treatment, 17Sep07

PAD may become available in Germany, 11Sep07

Dutch Catholic pastoral worker states physician assisted dying "is only human", 8Sep07

Senator Bob Brown's Australian Territories Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2007 goes to second reading, 5Sep07

Catholic academic study finds dignitas has positive outcomes and no slippery slope, 31Aug07

Voluntary euthanasia is it a crime or passion? Local media exposé, 21Aug07

Government funding for charity linked to Kevin Andrews, 12Aug07

A clear response to Disability Rights Organisations opposition to California's aid in dying Bill, 10Aug07

Western Australia to have Living Wills (Advance Directives) by Christmas says Health Minister, 9Aug07

Maxine Morand at forefront of PAD reform push in Victorian Parliament, 2Aug07

A retired Canadian Anglican priest is cleared of assisted suicide charges after accompanying his terminally ill wife to Dignitas in Switzerland, 31Jul07

Deputy Premier tables massive petition in support of physician assisted dying (PAD) in House,17Jul07

Dr Philip Nitschke to run against euthanasia foe Kevin Andrews, 14Jul07

Dignitas ordered to relocate after complaints by tenants, 14Jul07

Members of the European Parliament call for radical rethink on euthanasia, 8Jul07

Death-wish granny: a feisty woman's fight to die with dignity...and some humour, 28Jun07

Western Australian rebukes Fred Nile's objections to Physician Assisted Dying (PAD), 1Jul07

Police to review doctor's claim to have prescribed dying man drugs, 22Jun07

Hundreds attend dying with dignity rally on the steps of the Victorian Parliament, 20Jun07

Jack Kevorkian recruited to the lecture circuit on release from prison, 1Jun07

Survey finds a majority of British GP's stop treating the terminally ill, 21May07

Cheryl Field wants no pollies at her bedside -- The Senior editorial opinion, 16May07

Europeans grapple with right-to-die issue as Italian man's daughter lies in coma for 15 years, 15May07

Professional study determines no "slippery slope" in Dutch euthanasia practice, 10May07

AMA representative Dr Rosanna Canolingua slams euthanasia drug smugglers, 9May07

More Britons forced to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland for a dignified death, 8May07

How the law turns desperate people into criminals, 8May07

Elderly Australians manufacture the illegal drug Nembutal,
ABC 4Corners program, 8May07

Canadian study finds 25% of terminal cancer patients suffer significantly despite palliative care, 2May07

Dr Philip Nitschke, Director of Exit International, acknowledges breaking the law, 2May07

Veteran right-to-die campaigner, Rev. Bill Wright, dies at 81, 22Apr07

Minister Pyne thumbs his nose at the terminally ill in SBS Insight debate on national TV, 12Apr07

Video addresses to the California State Assembly Information Session on The Compassionate Choices Act, 10Apr07.

New BMA guidelines on terminally ill patients, 2Apr07

Man takes fight for wife to the British Medical Association, 27Mar07

Canadian conference hears legally assisted suicide no cakewalk for doctors, 27Mar07

Protesters burn banned books in front of Parliament to protest 10 years of Federal Parliament hubris, 26Mar07

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine officially goes neutral on physician-assisted death, 24Mar07

Doctor's group supports assisted suicide bill in California, reports Assemblywoman Patty Berg, 23Mar07

Vermont House votes down physician-assisted death bill, 22Mar07

US jury backs patients' end-of-life directives in test case, 19Mar07

Senator Amanda Vanstone speaks in support of voluntary euthanasia, 17Mar07

Disabled Chinese woman pleads for euthanasia, 16Mar07

French doctor gets suspended sentence in euthanasia trial, 16Mar07

Bedridden Spanish woman dies in state hospital after sparking euthanasia debate, 16Mar07

Spanish woman on "euthanasia row" prepares to end life, 15Mar07

NZ death law "needs to change" says Lesley Martin, founder of the Dignity New Zealand Trust, 15Mar07

Trial opens for doctor and nurse in French euthanasia case, 14Mar07

An o fficial review of ten years' data on the Oregon right to die law proves no "slippery slope", 14Mar07

South Australian Democrat will push for a referendum on voluntary euthanasia, 13Mar07

Law reform must help those with terminal illness: Drawing a line in the sand on voluntary euthanasia, 13Mar07

South Australia supports voluntary euthanasia: Poll, 12Mar07

More than 2000 French doctors and nurses have signed a petition that urges right to euthanasia, 9Mar07

Italian prosecutors clear Dr Riccio of any wrongdoing, 9Mar07

To live or die is no simple choice, says Peter Coghlan of Australian Catholic University, 6Mar07

Eight out of ten Australians support voluntary euthanasia shows Newspoll survey, 5Mar07.

Testing time for death drugs as Nitschke returns to Sydney, 2Mar07

Vermont House committee recommends adoption of 'death with dignity', 1Mar07

A request to die has been supported as the right to refuse treatment in Spain, 28Feb07

Leading USA hospice organisation drops opposition to doctor-assisted suicide, 28Feb07

A compelling account of a young English woman who wants the right to die with dignity, 13Feb07

Pioneering Scottish business woman dies in Dignitas clinic, 9Feb07. Trailblazer for women's rights.

Many doctors withhold advice about options from patients, study says, 8Feb07

Palliative care is not a one-issue debate, say Australian societies in response to PCA media release, 8Feb07

It is not a crime in Germany to be present at a sufferer's suicide, 8Feb07

Elderly and sick Kiwis in death drug trip to Mexico with Dr Phillip Nitschke, 6Feb07

Italian medical panel clears
Dr Mario Riccio of wrongdoing in Welby case, 5Feb07

There is no need to die in pain, says Odette Spruyt, 5Feb07

Leslie Cannold gives us plenty of scope for putting forward arguments in favour of dying with dignity, 2Feb07

Swiss high court ruling opens possibility of assisted suicide for mentally ill, 2Jan07

Retirees' march on capitol supports right-to-die bills, 1Feb07

Scottish MSP's urged to reject assisted suicide laws by conservative churchman, 31Jan07

Honolulu house health committee to mull 'Death with dignity', 31Jan07

Senator Bob Brown is hopeful his private member's bill to legalise euthanasia will receive a sympathetic hearing, 30Jan07

Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, hits out at new push on euthanasia laws, 29Jan07

Violent death often the only escape, reports Marshall Perron, 29Jan07. Three Australians over 75 commit suicide every week

Once the killing starts, there's no stopping it, says Dr Greg Pike who is using the 'Slippery Slope' argument, 29Jan07

Should society be allowed to decide how the life of a terminally ill person is ended, asks Jacqueline Maley, 29Jan07

Democrat Senator Wozniak lauds law to bolster efforts to carry out terminally ill patients' wishes, 29Jan07

Republicans co-sponsor bill to allow emergency responders to comply with do-not-resuscitate orders, 28Jan07

The line that must never be crossed: Editorial (Sydney Morning Herald), 27Jan07

Choosing to die a long way from home: Editorial (The Age), 27Jan07

"What have I got to look forward to? Pain and death." John Elliott's story with Dignitas in Switzerland, 27Jan07

Date with death: John Elliott dies with Dignitas' help, 27Jan07. Dr John Elliott of Sydney, is forced to travel to Switzerland for the dignified death he wants.

With wife and friends, doctor was not alone on extraordinary final journey, Fiona Stewart of Exit International reports, 26Jan07

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, hospice care pioneer and author, honoured posthumously, 26Jan07

New UK poll confirms majority support for voluntary euthanasia, 24Jan07

Vatican divided as cardinal says patients should have the right to die, 22Jan07

Italians still lack the clear right to refuse medical treatment, 21Jan07

Book release - Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America by William H. Colby, 20Jan07

Judge investigates son's claim Medeleine Zeffa Biver (Jacques Brel's muse) was helped to kill herself, 19Jan07

French woman with debilitating disease takes her own life, 18Jan07

New assisted-dying group established in Switzerland, 17Jan07

New right-to-die organisation established in Germany, 17Jan07

A dubious distinction: People are allowed to refuse medical treatment, yet doctors still cannot assist a patient's death, 17Jan07

Republican co-sponsors new 'Death with dignity' bill in the USA state of Vermont , 17Jan07

Arizona bill would allow physician-assisted suicides, 16Jan07

Gravely ill retired businessman shoots himself in car rather than continuing to suffer, 16Jan07

Advocates furious at euthanasia book ban; Catholic hierarchy calls book 'appalling', accuses author of 'limelight deprivation', 15Jan07

Signs that the Catholicism is trying to keep up with the times 14Jan07

A 97 year old highly respected doctor is operated on in spite of having made express written wishes otherwise. His family overrode his decision, 05Jan07

Italian man loses his case to have his respirator turned off, but his wish is fulfilled anyhow. Watch for follow-on effects, 22Dec06

Rome judge rejects man's request to come off his respirator, but this is unlikely to be the last we hear of his case. 16Dec06

Jean Gillett, social activist, dies. Memorial held Jan 07. 13Dec06

Australian world first, guidelines for health professionals faced with requests to die from terminally ill patients. Published in the international journal, Palliative Medicine, they address the delicate situation of how health professionals should respond when a terminally ill patient expresses a wish to die. 12Dec06

Two letters from the UK in support of dying with dignity. 03Dec06

A recent study identifies six components of a "good death". These include pain management, patients having a say in decisions, knowing what to expect and preparing for death, resolving conflicts and being able to say goodbye and importantly being seen as unique and whole person and understanding of their values and preferences. 31Oct06

A high-profile priest argues for mercy. Is the country that contains the very centre of Catholicism softening its approach to Dying With Dignity? A well-known priest argues in favour of a loving Christian solution to a terminally ill friend's request. 13Oct06

Ted Baillieu, leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, has announced his support for dying with dignity law reform—but will not seek to make it law unless there was widespread backing.

Polls repeatedly show that the overwhelming majority of Victorians (currently 82%) are in favour of legislative reform, so you're in good company! Only 13% of Victorians are opposed.

Show your support by signing our Petition to the Parliament of Victoria here... 15Jul06

The pro-euthanasia lobby has hijacked the concept of dying with dignity, writes Juliette Hughes, 13Jul06

Your views on dying with dignity: 10 year anniversary of the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act (Northern Territory), 1Jul06

Domestic laws force Australians to travel overseas for assisted dying, 7Feb06

Former Washington Governor backs initiatives to legalise assisted suicide, 7Feb06

Elderly Victorian couple forced to consider Dignitas because of Australian laws, 5Feb06

Isle of Man finally publishes euthanasia report - but makes no recommendations, 3Feb06

Police probe Birmingham journalist's column claim that she 'mercy-killed' a terminally ill relative, 3Feb06

Police probe London mother's 'mercy killing', 3Feb06

Philip Nitschke, "suicide doctor," faces new jail threat in NZ , 29Jan06

Thirty Aussies sign on as "death tourists"; new WA premier reiterates his support for people with a terminal illness having the right to die, 29Jan06

Montreal mom who assisted son's suicide spared a jail term, 28Jan06

Doctor-Aided Suicide Bill Introduced in Washington State 27Jan06

Euthanasia campaigner "in demand" for advice 26Jan06

Assisted suicide campaign back on in California, 25Jan06

An Interview with Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive, Dignity in Dying (UK) 25Jan06

Homicide squad probes Steve Guest's death 25Jan05. Dr Rodney Syme's statement to Police. Listen to Steve Guest here...

Governor wants Californian voters to decide suicide law, 24Jan06

Degenerative disease sufferer forced to Switzerland for assisted death, 24Jan06. Includes video interview.

Study finds end-of-life wishes a very personal choice, 23Jan06

Shameful country that makes the old suffer so, 21Jan06

British doctors helped thousands of sufferers to die in 2005, despite it being against the law. 19Jan06

USA Supreme Court rejects Attorney General's authority to ban drug used in assisted deaths in Oregon - New York Times editorial 19Jan06

USA Supreme Court Upholds Oregon Physician-Assisted Suicide Law - MedPage Editorial 17Jan06

USA Supreme Court removes obstacle to Assisted-Suicide Laws 17Jan06

New Hampshire USA imminent vote to improve and simplify its Advance Directive laws 13Jan06

New Australian law makes euthanasia unspeakable - severe penalties apply 6Jan06

Philip Nitschke encourages Australians to break the new law that prohibits providing information on assisted suicide over the telephone or Internet 5Jan06

Nearly 30% of Americans have a living will Jan06. (Get your living will from us here...)

Tasmanian nurse appeals conviction for helping parents to die 21Dec05

Senator Bob Brown heartened by nurse avoiding custodial sentence 20Dec05

Israel parliament approves passive euthanasia law Dec05

Swiss allow assisted suicide on hospital premises 20Dec05

Americans trust doctors if physician-assisted death legalised 4Dec05

Disability Advocate Group Issues Support for Oregon Law 22Nov05

Dying with Dignity bill introduced into UK Parliament Nov 2005. Similar to Oregon (USA) law. Sep05

Steve Guest suffering terminal cancer talks to Jon Faine at 774 ABC Melbourne about his situation. Listen to the conversations here... Jul05

Federal Parliament passes a draconian law preventing doctors advising their patients about assisted dying using federally-controlled communications media, 6Jul05

British Medical Association drops opposition to assisted dying, Jun05

The 7th annual report of Oregon's experience with the Death with Dignity Act demonstrates that humane legislation does not lead to opening floodgates of abuse, Mar05

Suicide by Train Is a Growing Concern. Suicide is over a third of Australian train fatalities. Jan05

Sandy Williamson — Motor Neuron Disease Sufferer — 60 Minutes Story 28Jul02

Focus on Motor Neurone Disease after Nancy Crick's Death 5Jun02

Dramatic rise in hanging suicides in Australia. Tripled in the last two decades and rising! May00

See also our regular Bulletins.

“For most older people, for whom death is no longer a remote, unlikely possibility, the fear is not so much of death as of what might precede it.”

Pamela Bone
(Journalist & cancer sufferer) The Age 19 Dec 2005

"We have had a case now for a year involving a woman in hospice care
whose pain is not relieved unless she receives so much morphine that she
is unconscious. The morphine causes constipation so severe that she has had to have several surgeries for bowel obstruction.

Why doesn't someone write about the failure of hospice care to provide the happy, complication-free results that are alleged?"

Sue Solomon
Sacramento, California