Controversy Over Final Exit

In the summer of 1991, a controversial book entitled Final Exit appeared in bookstores across the country. According to its cover, this book, written by Derek Humphry, deals with "the practicalities of self-deliverance and assisted suicide" for the terminally ill. A review in Time magazine more bluntly called it "a manual for committing suicide or helping someone else to do so" (Henry, 1991, p. 55). The text of Final Exit includes advice for killing one's self as painlessly and effectively as possible. Because of the book's content, many people were shocked by its publication. Some people argued that the information contained in the book could be abused if it fell into the wrong hands. For example, Burke Balch of the National Right to Life Committee urged booksellers to boycott the book by claiming: "We would call upon those in a position to foster dissemination of this loaded gun potentially in the hands of children and urge them to seriously consider refusing to carry it" (Cox, 1991, p. B1).

One reason for Final Exit's controversy is the fact that it advocates the use of active euthanasia. In contrast to active euthanasia, passive euthanasia simply involves removing a terminally ill person from life-support systems which prolong life by extraordinary means. In recent years, the idea of passive euthanasia for the terminally ill has become accepted by many people, including those in the legal and medical professions. Active euthanasia, however, is another matter al

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cured. Furthermore, Humphry denounces the use of "bizarre ways" for killing one's self. Thus, an entire chapter of the book is devoted to describing the problems with such traditional methods as hanging, carbon monoxide poisoning, or shooting one's self. All of these methods are needlessly painful as well as unreliable. In addition, they can be very disturbing to the loved ones who might discover the body. In contrast to suicide for emotional reasons, Humphry argues for suicide only in the case of those who have a hopeless terminal condition (Humphry, 1991, p. 179). For those who have decided to terminate their lives, Humphry further argues for the use of clean and practical methods. In this regard, "Humphry argues that he will not make suicide easier - just more reliable, less painful, less messy and above all less solitary" (Henry, 1991, p. 55). A large portion of the book consists of specific advice on how to carry out one's own death. The information in the book covers such topic as Living Wills and Power of Attorney, as well as discussing their role in guaranteeing the rights of terminally ill persons. Humphry encourages family involvement in the decision to end one's own life. However, he also strongly urges again

Category: Government - C