Resource Tag: RIGHT TO DIE. INSTRUCTION MANUALS

For the most part, this review is a summary of Humphrey’s book. It is not until the last page that the reviewer offers his opinion of this book. Bonnington says that it “is a well-written book”. However, he cautions “that the discussion of how to commit suicide…could become a handbook for murder or for use […]

A committee of the American Library Association had not received any indication that libraries were considering banning “Final Exit” from their shelves. It was pointed out by one librarian that the information in this book was also available in other reference books in public libraries. Another librarian stated that the library’s responsibility is to answer […]

The authors present a case report which they say illustrates the potential dangers of facilitating adolescent suicidality. Two 14-year-old girls were referred for emergency psychiatric assessment after each accused the other of being suicidal. Although both denied having a suicide pact, they appeared caught up in a shared “culture of suicide”. The accessibility of “Final […]

This article discusses a University of Illnois Library Research Center survey of 1,181 people, which focussed on library services, materials, goverance & financial support. It found that most of the public did not support full access to books that describe how to commit suicide. Only 10% of the public felt they should be available to […]

The author states that too many dying people, because they never experience the proper relief of pain & other symptoms or the advocacy of hospice nurses, believe that assisted suicide is a reasonable option. Mallison argues that the popularity of “Final Exit” is a response to inadequate resources; that if people knew what was actually […]

This article reviews the book “Final Exit” by D. Humphry calling it a dangerous, misleading, & irresponsible publication. The book rejects the idea of considered argument, includes misstatements of the law, & does not distinguish between physician-assisted suicide & euthanasia. Lessons of the book for bioethics are discussed. A growing critique of bioethics as being […]

This book review notes that Humphrey’s book raises questions for those who work in suicide prevention. However, the reviewer says that he should not be falsely accused of causing suicide because people have always found the means to kill themselves. The reviewer notes that the book does not address the question of whether someone with […]

The author argues that hospice must respond to “Final Exit” & Hemlock supporters from a basis of consensus. Byock states that hospice must acknowledge that the euthanasia/assisted suicide movement believes in addressing the needs of people suffering from terminal illnesses as much as hospice does. But, he also says there are several compelling reasons, involving […]

Motto states that with a few exceptions, the information in “Final Exit” is “not only practical but clear, unequivocal, consistent, caring, & respectful of the sensibilities of all the participants in the process”. He does not feel it is appropriate for professional & scientific organizations to take a position regarding this book because, “the basic […]

Maris says that even though, “Humphrey has provided a valuable, rare service to many who are in pain & near death”, “there is much about Final Exit that offends…”. His criticisms of the book include that is is “unabashedly self-serving”, that it “is not well-written or edited”, & that it does not address the real […]

Litman’s criticisms of this book, “focus entirely on his encouragement of suicide for persons who are not dying, for example when it involves the handicapped rather than the terminally ill”. However, he says that before Humphry is accused of causing more suicides among the non-terminally ill, the evidence should be checked to be sure that […]

Battin states that, “Final Exit…should be seen as yet another step in the recognition & protection of the American citizenry’s basic civil rights”. But, she says that there are some problems with the book itself, “Final Exit cannot satisfy all the hopes it may raise for patients who seek to avoid the final stages of […]

Richman states that he is opposed to physician assisted suicide; therefore, this was a difficult book for him to review. Even though he tried to be objective, Richman found that, “the book is filled with misleading oversimplifcations & an ignorance of the basic principles of psychiatry, psychology & suicidology”. Richman argues that Humphry disregards the […]

This article reports on the November 1991 vote in Washington to reject physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. Arguments presented by those on both sides of the debate are reviewed & political activities surrounding the issue are discussed. Derek Humphry, founder of the Hemlock Society & author of Final Exit, is interviewed about his activities […]

This article summarizes the controversial book, Final Exit, by the founder of the Hemlock Society, Derek Humphry. The book is a manual for committing suicide or helping someone else kill themselves. It also argues that doctors & nurses should assist in the suicide of terminally ill patients. The article includes Humphry’s defense of rational suicide, […]

This article describes the changes in attitude over the last 20 years towards greater acceptance of suicide among the terminally ill. Derek Humphry’s book, Final Exit, is discussed, as well as living wills, health-care proxies, & durable power of attorney for health care. (VM)

This press release was made after “Final Exit” reached the top of the New York Times bestseller list. The AAS states that with the wide availability of books such as this, it is necessary that accurate information about suicide be made available to the general public. To this end, 9 fundamental facts about suicide are […]

In this editorial, the author states that the popularity of “Final Exit” is largely a response to inadequate resources. Mallison argues that very few people would choose voluntary euthanasia if they had access to appropriate medical & psychiatric care. Because many dying people will never experience the proper relief of symptoms, assisted suicide will likely […]

This article presents an American Association of Suicidology (AAS) press release about Derek Humphrey’s book, Final Exit. The AAS believes that Humphrey is driven by compassion, but they are concerned over readers not having accurate information about suicide. They outline the high rates of suicide among the elderly in good physical health, but ailing mental […]

In this session, Soubrier discussed a number of presentations he has done on the consequences of publishing suicide manuals. He argues that since the early 1980s suicide statistics have shown an incredible increase in France & attributes this to a lack to legislation concerning the provocation or incitement of suicide. However, in December 1987 a […]

This article discusses a book, “A Guide to Self-Deliverance”, published by Exit, a right-to-die organization.

A letter to the Editor of The Lancet (Sept. 1980) expressing opposition to EXIT’s do-it-yourself booklet & to legislation that may influence attitudes toward rational suicide & euthanasia.(NBB)

The publication of A Guide to Self-Deliverance by Exit, a right-to-die organization, raised the moral dilemna of suicide for all ages, rather than only the question of euthanasia for the aged. Although half of the Guide is devoted to a discussion of reasons not to die, the other half, which details the 5 deadly methods, […]