Killing Me Softly: Voluntary Euthanasia & the Road to the Peaceful Pill Kindle Edition

A topic that needs attention, written by a pioneer in the effort to extend the freedom to control the circumstances of one's own death/

I am an admirer of Philip nitschke plus i'd like to choose myself when to end my life & not being told by our nanny statewhat to do with my body

also good

Nitschke, P. and Stewart, F. (2005) Killing Me Softly, Voluntary Euthanasia and the Road to the Peaceful Pill, Penguin Books, Australia.This is a very powerful book. Its viewpoint will outrage some whilst making others' blood boil. Dr Nitschke has a high profile in the euthanasia debate in this country. What is not so well known, perhaps, is that Dr Nitschke is not only a medical doctor, but holds a PhD in physics as well. Dr Fiona Stewart is a public health sociologist. They have collaborated in producing this book.One of the central aims of the book is to argue that State based voluntary euthanasia societies (like our own in Victoria) are mistaken in their pursuit of legislative change. Nitschke and Stewart certainly make a good case in their discussion of the way the Catholic Church in particular, but also fundamentalist Christian politicians and a conservative AMA combine to make legislative change in this area very unlikely in the near future.The arguments in the book are not so much teased out philosophical reflection, but propositions and ideals supported by case studies, or short histories of patients. These make gripping reading and certainly cast Nitschke in the light of a compassionate doctor dedicated to social reform that enables individuals - particularly the elderly, to exercise their autonomy.Nitschke and Stewart devote a chapter to the Northern Territory experiment where voluntary euthanasia was legal for a short period before Kevin Andrews introduced a bill in the Federal parliament that overrode it. What emerges from this discussion is how the authorities have harassed and pursued Nitschke in what might be called a witch hunt. The AMA has tried unsuccessfully to have him deregistered. And, the consequence of Andrew's bill is to condemn many people to a lingering and agonising death; a death without dignity.The book has a number of overlapping streams of thought - part autobiography (of Nitschke) part historic record of individuals who tried to exercise what they viewed as their right to choose a time and a place for their own death, part a study of a society reacting to one of the most controversial rights that a citizen might claim, and part a discussion of the changing technology connected with suicide and dying.This is a very readable book in a field where obfuscation is rampant. Double talk by doctors; misleading information about palliative care; silence about the reality of terminally ill people who suffer terrible pain both physical and mental. All these areas are targets for Nitschke's and Stewart's discussion. They go beyond discussing the rights of terminally ill and suffering patient's rights to consider to what extent a `suicide pill' might be made available - should it be available to any aged and rational adult who is just weary of life? And, the economic benefits to a society that permitted voluntary euthanasia would be substantial.The book discusses the work of the organisation Exit International ([...]) that Philip Nitschke founded. Exit International run workshops and clinical visits for those who want decision making power over their end of life choices. The workshops are based on developing in those who attend both know how (knowledge) and show how (skills in putting knowledge into practice).One of the main features of this organisation's work is research and development that, in part, focuses on developing a `peaceful pill' that would be widely available (or could be made by individuals themselves). Philip Nitschke believes that the development of such a `technology' would create the conditions for mass civil disobedience. It would bypass legislatures and lead to a better world - one in which individuals might choose to end their own life in their own time. The religious belief that God gives us life and it is God who will decide when to take it away would no longer be forced onto to people who do not believe in God (or, indeed, on those who do!)This is an important book. It contributes substantially to the debate on euthanasia in Australia and Philip Nitschke and Fiona Stewart put their side of the case persuasively.Dr Ralph BlundenRalph Blunden is a retired academic

Sets out the arguments for from ethical, medical, legal, economic, practical and psychological perspectives. Written in 2004 so a bit out of date in terms of political perspective. An important thought provoking book.

Not recommend worst waste of money not giving the way of euthenasia . Not giving technique or drug for euthenesia

Excellent book. Covers the subject as thoroughly as it is legal to do so.