For months I hadn’t thought about 1963; not even one bad dream. But the editorial by Gabrielle Moore, Assisted suicide not real answer (SN 6/1), brought it all back.
During my junior year of college, I was administering morphine to my dying father every two to four hours, 24/7. I’ve thought this over and over — when I was 19, 23, 29, 35, 45 … and my conclusion has always been the same.
There was no reason for that experiment in how much suffering a person could take; how long a person could live with most systems failing, including the mind.
I don’t wish that experience on anyone and, thankfully, very few people will have it. Indeed, college students should be enjoying the best of times, so I will spare the details and summarize.
Jack Kevorkian and the state of Washington are a lot closer to the truth than the typical Sunday school teacher or naive college student.
Death with dignity should be a private matter for families, with private help from doctors when needed. That healthy and happy college students have a right to vote as the state on this issue is a chilling thought.
George Stockman
computer science professor
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