Year: 1991 Source: Christian Century, v.108, no.35, (December 4, 1991), p.1132-1134 SIEC No: 20060189

The author discusses Initiative 119, a motion to approve physician-assisted suicide in Washington State. The motion was defeated. McCormick says that Initiative 119 was the convergence & culmination of at least 5 cultural trends: the absolutization of autonomy; the secularization of medicine; the inadequate management of pain; the nutrition-hydration debate; & the financial pressures of health care. Understanding these trends will help opponents deal with future initiatives concerning physician-assisted suicide.