California appeals court rejects right-to-die lawsuit

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

California appeals court rejects right-to-die lawsuit
Updated 5:42 pm, Thursday, October 29, 2015

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A California appeals court on Thursday rejected a lawsuit by three terminally ill patients that sought to clear the way for doctors to prescribe fatal medication to them and others like them who want the option of taking their lives.

A state law that makes helping someone commit suicide a crime clearly applies to physicians who provide patients lethal drugs, a division of the Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled.

"We believe prescribing a lethal dose of drugs to a terminally ill patient with the knowledge the patient may use it to end his or her life goes beyond the mere giving of advice and encouragement and falls under the category of direct aiding and abetting," Associate Justice Alex McDonald wrote.

The ruling affirmed a lower court decision that dismissed the lawsuit. The lawsuit was brought against the state by Christy O'Donnell and two other terminally ill California residents.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/California-appeals-court-rejects-right-to-die-6599150.php

[BlueJazz]

1. So a Doctor can't give a person a drug but he can give them a .45

[PoliticAverse]

3. If a doctor gave a person a gun to commit suicide they'd also likely be in violation of the law. n/t

[BlueJazz]

4. Actually, you bring up a good scenario. IF it were legal for a doctor to give a patient a

...life-ending drug, why couldn't he also give the patient a gun ?

[skepticscott]

9. Well, imagine the differing reactions

If a doctor provided a patient a gun knowing they were going to use it to commit suicide and if a gun dealer did the same. Which one would people be screaming to change to law to exempt?

[TreasonousBastard]

2. Better to live out their now pointless lives in pain...

and loneliness, confused by drugs, and all at ridiculously expensive cost.

What a caring people we re.

[wordpix]

5. +1000, let people die the way they want

I know what real pain is. In my case, I got better but if that kind of pain I experienced went on for months, I would want to end it and be free to choose the time.

[Downwinder]

6. Have to get in front of a train while you are still mobil.

[TexasBushwhacker]

7. Jeez, they just passed a right to die law

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/560c6037e4b076812700b6d8

Unfortunately it won't go into effect soon enough to help the 3 patients. The judge is a jerk.

[BlueMTexpat]

8. I absolutely support choice

in this matter. IMO, the appeals court is simply wrong.