Quick Facts

Some quick facts (history, definitions...) on euthanasia and physician assisted suicide.

FACT #1: The earliest American statute explicitly to outlaw assisting suicide was enacted in New York in 1828

FACT #2: In 1998 U.S. state of Oregon legalizes assisted suicide

FACT #3: Euthanasia by omission is intentionally causing death by not providing necessary and ordinary (usual and customary) care or food and water

FACT #4: Physician assisted suicide is NOT the same as euthanasia

FACT #5: Euthanasia can be conducted either voluntary (with consent) or involuntary (without consent)

FACT #6: The term euthanasia comes from the Greek words "eu"-meaning good and "thanatos"-meaning death

FACT #7: Dr. Jack Kevorkian was a Michigan physician infamous for encouraging and assisting people in committing suicide which resulted in a Michigan law against the practice in 1992

FACT #8: Perhaps the strongest argument made on behalf of legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide is that it, like abortion, it is a "choice" issue

FACT #9: “I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel” ---The Hippocratic Oath

FACT #10: Although euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in Switzerland, assisted suicide is penalized only if it is carried out "from selfish motives."