Dying With Dignity: Understanding Euthanasia

by Derek Humphry

The best-selling author of Final Exit discusses all of the issues surrounding euthanasia, including the ethical dilemmas, justifiable circumstances, landmark cases, and various methods. Reprint.

215 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

Derek Humphry was a British and American journalist and author notable as a proponent of legal assisted suicide and the right to die. In 1980, he co-founded the Hemlock Society and, in 2004, after that organization dissolved, he co-founded Final Exit Network. From 1988 to 1990, he was president of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies and was most recently the president of the Euthanasia Research & Guidance Organization (ERGO).
He was the author of several related books, including Jean's Way (1978), The Right to Die: Understanding Euthanasia (1986), and Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying (1991).

Reviews

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Derek Humphry is a pro-euthanasia campaigner. Having helped his wife to die while she suffered a terminal cancer, he also founded the Hemlock Society, an international organisation supporting and advising people in need on the topic (he actually published some of such advices in 'Final Exit' a book which made scandal upon being released...).

Here, he deals with he subject in a broad manner, showing what are its implications while trying to dispel some common prejudices. He, obviously, defends his stance in supporting it, but he also challenges the readers to question themselves on a topic which requires sensibility, compassion and reflexion away from the taboo and stigma it too often is shrouded with.

What differentiate euthanasia from suicide? What is the difference between passive euthanasia and active euthanasia? What is the relevance of the Hippocratic oath? Writing mainly for an American audience, he even dare asking what are the impacts of the regulations surrounding prescription drugs on such an issue. He presses where it hurts, then, showing how various conflicts of interests trapping doctors and jurists can, at times, sadly be at the expense of patients.

Being a rough overview, this book doesn't have the answers to everything (what about, for example, the cases of children or people lacking capacity to make such decision?). Yet, it's a nice read to get a better understanding of the issues involved. The legal repercussions might be specific to the USA at the time of writing, but, ethically, this may be a decision we may have to face too, one day... A thought-provoking read.

[Amanda Papenfus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an informative book. The main detractors for me were that part of it are repetitive and he plugs his organization and previous books A LOT.

[Kirby R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in my first book club. (Jennifer's)