The Suicide Tourist

Dr. Raymond Tallis of the U.K. writes a wonderful essay on the reasons he has come around to the idea that physician-assisted death should be legalized in his home country. He speaks eloquently but practically on the incorrect assumptions he once held regarding universal palliative care, patient-physician levels of trust, and the oft-quoted “can of worms” argument that believes death with dignity may result in widespread euthanasia of the disenfranchised.

In fact, as Dr. Tallis points out, “A very detailed analysis of the data in Oregon has shown that there is an under-representation of those groups and an over-representation of comparatively well-off, middle-class white people — feisty characters who are used to getting their own way.”

I believe this is a necessary read for anyone currently on the fence with regards to the right to die. Read the article at the Times Online.