Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Editorials / Opinion


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published October 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 8, 2008 at 4:19 PM

Comments (0)     E-mail article     Print view

The Times recommends

Death with dignity: approve I-1000

Initiative 1000 should be approved. Terminally ill people should have the right to death with dignity.

The "death with dignity" measure, Initiative 1000, sets up a way for a terminally ill person to order a lethal dose of drugs. Make no mistake: This is assisted suicide. It is a grim decision, and many may think it a wrong one, but we believe it should be the right of the terminally ill to decide for themselves.

The law would give the right to only a few people: patients who have fewer than six months to live. In Oregon, the only state to have a comparable law, 49 patients used the law to take their lives last year — fewer than 2 in every 1,000 deaths in the state. They were patients with cancer, Lou Gehrig's disease and other terrible conditions. Some took their lives because of pain, but most often because they were losing their autonomy, their dignity and their engagement with life.

I-1000 aims to protect the patient by making him or her ask for the lethal dose several times, once with witnesses and in writing. It requires two doctors to certify that the patient has an untreatable disease likely to be fatal within six months.

The law would focus its attention on the ordering of the prescription, as medical drug law does generally. It would require no witnesses at the time the pills were swallowed.

Supporters say this is a personal moment and none of the government's business. Opponents raise the specter of murder or, more likely, of the patient feeling a familial duty to make an exit.

If the decision needs to be wrapped in more precautions, the Legislature can add them.

But for the voters to reject I-1000 is to deny the patient the right to make the decision at all. On the grounds of compassion for the suffering, and recognition of the individual as a moral agent, death with dignity is a right that should be allowed.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

NEW - 11:42 AM
Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: New York trial a propaganda coup for terrrorists

Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: Conflicted about the death penalty — and I'm OK with that

Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: A politically correct — and dangerous — delicacy about the Fort Hood shooting

Advertising

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Full interview with New Moon actors
Interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising