Cancer patient is the first to die under suicide law

Seattle: A 66-year-old woman with pancreatic cancer has become the first person to die under a new Washington state law allowing doctors to help terminally ill patients end their lives.

Linda Fleming, of the Olympic Peninsula town of Sequim, died after ingesting a fatal dose of a fast-acting barbiturate, Compassion & Choices of Washington reported on Friday. The group had promoted the successful ballot initiative, which took effect on March 5.

The law was approved by 57.9 per cent of the voters. But its implementation has been hampered by the reluctance of many doctors to write lethal prescriptions. Washington's law closely mirrors one in Oregon, under which more than 400 patients have ended their lives since 1997.

Montana, as a result of a court ruling under challenge, is the only other state that legally permits physician-aided death.

The new Washington State Law is against the law of God (Thou shall not kill). God always has his purpose why he is allowing a very complicated situaton.
Joel V
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 24, 2009, 12:45