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Liberty and Death 
A manifesto concerning an individual’sright to choose to dieIn a spirit of compassion for all, this manifesto proclaims that everycompetent adult has the incontestable right to humankind’s ultimate civiland personal liberty –- the right to die in a manner and at a time of their ownchoosing. Whereas modern medicine has brought great benefits to humanity, itcannot entirely solve the pain and distress of the dying process.Each person deals with death in their individualway. Which way isdetermined by their health, their ethics, and personal living conditions.The degree to which physical pain and psychological distress can betolerated is different in all humans. Quality of life judgments are private andpersonal, thus only the sufferer can make relevant decisions.Persuasion or provocation to the act of self-killing are deplorable andshould be punished according to relevant laws. ‘Suicide’ no longer being acrime, it is unacceptable to prosecute well-meaning people for ‘assistedsuicide’ in justifiable medical cases.Medically hastened death by request should be made lawful as it isnow in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Americanstates of Oregon and Washington (each has different rules). Choosing tohasten death by self-starvation and dehydration should be accompanied bypalliativecare. Electing to die by terminal sedation is also a choice providedit is freely made by the patient.Advance Directives (Living Wills) and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care must be respectfully considered by medical professionals at alltimes.Views on the dying process contrary to those expressed in thismanifesto are respected, but must not trump the autonomy of the dyingperson’s own decisions.
www.finalexit.org
Derek Humphry 
2009
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