Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T15:31:00.220Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The genealogy of death: A chronology of U.S. organizations promoting euthanasia and assisted suicide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2018

MaryKatherine A. Brueck  and
Daniel P. Sulmasy
MaryKatherine A. Brueck
Affiliation:
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Daniel P. Sulmasy*
Affiliation:
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
*
Author for correspondence: Daniel P. Sulmasy, André Hellegers Professor of Biomedical Ethics, The Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics, Senior Research Scholar, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Depts. of Medicine and Philosophy, Georgetown University, 4000 Reservoir Rd., Rm. 238, Bldg. D, Washington, DC 20007. E-mail [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In the early 20th century, a political movement to secure access to euthanasia and assisted suicide began in the United States. The multitude of organizations associated with this effort has undergone an array of mergers, splits, and name changes, channeled through two progenitor organizations—the Euthanasia Society of America and the Hemlock Society. A few chronologies mapping the metamorphoses of these organizations are available, but they are not accessible in the medical literature. Moreover, they are not comprehensive, lack consistency, and are not rigorously validated. As debates about the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide continue, it is important to have a common understanding of the history behind these developments, including recognition of the factors driving these adaptations. In this paper, we offer a comprehensive and definitive history to aid those interested in knowing the roots of these organizations and those that are still active today.

Keywords

Euthanasiahistory of medicineterminal caresuicide, assistedCompassion and Choices
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 17 , Issue 5 , October 2019 , pp. 604 - 608
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Belkin, L (1993) There's no simple suicide. New York Times. Available at https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/14/magazine/there-s-no-simple-suicide.html.Google Scholar
Californians push right to die issue (1987) New York Times. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/13/us/californians-push-right-to-die-issue.htmlGoogle Scholar
CaringInfo (ND). Caring Connections timeline: Predecessors of NHPCO's consumer program. Available at http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid3402Google Scholar
Colt, G (2006) November of the Soul: The Enigma of Suicide. New York: Scribner Publishing, pp. 410–411.Google Scholar
Compassion & Choices (2016a) Aid in dying: History and background for students, activists, and professionals. Available at https://www.compassionandchoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Aid-in-Dying-History-and-Background.pdfGoogle Scholar
Compassion & Choices (2016b) Medical aid in dying: a handbook for engaging state medical associations. Available at https://www.compassionandchoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/C-C-State-Medical-Association-Handbook-FINAL-8.26.16-Approved-for-Public-Distribution.pdfGoogle Scholar
Compassion & Choices (2017) Compassion & choices and DeathWise unite to expand options and tools for end-of-life care. Available at https://www.compassionandchoices.org/compassion-choices-and-deathwise-unite-to-expand-options-and-tools-for-end-of-life-planning/Google Scholar
Concern for Dying (1967) Board meeting minutes for the Euthanasia Educational Fund. University of Rochester Library Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation. Concern for Dying Papers: box 3, folder 1. Available at https://rbscp.lib.rochester.edu/finding-aids/D184Google Scholar
Concern for Dying (1978) Board meeting minutes for the Euthanasia Educational Council. Available from University of Rochester Library Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation. Concern for Dying Papers: box 3, folder 3. Available at https://rbscp.lib.rochester.edu/finding-aids/Google Scholar
Cook, S (2017) Background and history of end of life Washington. Available at https://endoflifewa.org/about-us/organizational-history/Google Scholar
Cox, D (1993) Hemlock's cup: The struggle for death with dignity. New York: Prometheus Books, pp. 44–48.Google Scholar
Death With Dignity (NDa). Death with dignity in California: A history. Available at http://californiadeathwithdignity.org/death-with-dignity-california-history/Google Scholar
Death With Dignity (NDb). Death with Dignity National Center: About us. Available at https://www.deathwithdignity.org/about/Google Scholar
Death With Dignity (NDc) Oregon death with dignity act: A history. Available at https://www.deathwithdignity.org/oregon-death-with-dignity-act-history/Google Scholar
Death With Dignity (NDd) Board of directors. Available at https://www.deathwithdignity.org/about/board-of-directors/ Death With Dignity (NDe) History. Available at https://www.deathwithdignity.org/about/history/Google Scholar
Dowbiggin, I (2002) “A rational coalition”: Euthanasia, eugenics, and birth control in America, 1940–1970. Journal of Policy History 14(3), 223–260.Google Scholar
Dowbiggin, I (2003). A merciful end: The euthanasia movement in modern America. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Encyclopedia of Associations: National Organizations. (1978) Detroit: Gale Research Co. 12, 652.Google Scholar
Final Exit Network (2013) What does ERGO do? Available at http://www.finalexit.org/what_is_ergo.htmlGoogle Scholar
Final Exit Network (ND) Questions and answers. Available at http://www.finalexitnetwork.org/Questions---Answers.htmlGoogle Scholar
Final Options Illinois (ND) About final options Illinois. Available at https://finaloptionsillinois.org/about-final-options/Google Scholar
Fletcher, J (1954). Morals and medicine: The moral problems of the patient's right to know the truth, contraception, artificial insemination, sterilization, euthanasia. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, p. 174.Google Scholar
Galewitz, P (2015) Aid-in-dying advocacy group girds for battles after California victory. Available at https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/14/kaiser-aid-in-dying-advocacy-group-girds-for-battles-after-california-victory/75716006/Google Scholar
Gorsuch, R (2006) The future of assisted suicide and euthanasia. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, p. 35.Google Scholar
Grodin, M, Kelly, JI, Miller, EL (2018) The Nazi physicians as leaders in eugenics and “euthanasia”: Lessons for today. American Journal of Public Health 108(1), 53–57.Google Scholar
Hastings College of the Law (1992) Physician-assisted death. Terminal condition. California Proposition 161. UC Hastings Scholarship Repository. Available at http://repository.uchastings.edu/ca_ballot_props/1076Google Scholar
Hemlock Society of San Diego (ND) About us. Available at http://www.hemlocksocietysandiego.org/about.htm.Google Scholar
Hillyard, D and Dombrink, J (2001) Dying Right: The Death with Dignity Movement. New York: Routledge, p. 54.Google Scholar
Humphry, D (1983) Let Me Die Before I Wake: Hemlock's Book of Self-Deliverance for the Dying, 2nd Edn. Los Angeles: Hemlock Publishing.Google Scholar
Humphry, D (2004) The Good Euthanasia Guide: Where, What, and Who in Choices in Dying. Junction City: Norris Lane Press.Google Scholar
Johnson, D (1999) Kevorkian sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison. New York Times. Available at https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/14/us/kevorkian-sentenced-to-10-to-25-years-in-prison.htmlGoogle Scholar
Kamakahi, J, Fox, E, and Čapek, S (1999) Come lovely and soothing death: The right to die movement in the United States (social movements past and present). New York: Twayne Publishers, p. 29.Google Scholar
Kaplan, K and Byock, I (1998) Partnership for caring – the voice for the dying. Choices: The Newsletter for Choice in Dying 7(4) Available at http://web.archive.org/web/20001005112950/www.choices.org/newsw98.htmGoogle Scholar
Kutner, L (1979) Euthanasia: Due process for death with dignity the living will. Indiana Law Journal 54:201–228.Google Scholar
Lavi, S (2005) The modern art of dying: A history of euthanasia in the United States. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, p. 75.Google Scholar
Lewy, G (2011) Assisted death in Europe and America: Four regimes and their lessons. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 3–5.Google Scholar
Majchrowicz, M (2016) The volunteers who help people end their own lives. The Atlantic. Available at https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/07/the-volunteers-who-help-people-end-their-own-lives/489602/Google Scholar
Malcolm, AH (1990) 2 right-to-die groups merging for unified voice. New York Times. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/12/us/2-right-to-die-groups-merging-for-unified-voice.htmlGoogle Scholar
Maynard, B (ND) Her story went global, opened minds, and changed California law. Available at https://www.compassionandchoices.org/brittany-maynard-story/Google Scholar
Oregon Health Authority (2014) Oregon's Death with Dignity Act. Available at http://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/EvaluationResearch/DeathwithDignityAct/Pages/index.aspxGoogle Scholar
Potter, C (1930) Humanism, a new religion. New York: Simon and Schuster Publishing.Google Scholar
Rockey, L (1998) A call for compassion. Chicago Tribune. Available at http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-02-08/news/9802140238_1_assisted-suicide-physician-assisted-suicide-barbara-coombs-leeGoogle Scholar
Sanction is sought for ‘mercy death’ (1938) New York Times. Available at https://www.nytimes.com/1938/01/17/archives/sanction-is-sought-for-mercy-deaths-new-group-formed-to-fight-for.htmlGoogle Scholar
Vacco v Quill (1997) 117 S.Ct. 2293.Google Scholar
Washington v Glucksberg (1997) 117 S.Ct. 2258.Google Scholar