Assuming there's a heavenly realm beyond the earthplane, no doubt the late, great Dr. Jack Kevorkian is there and doubly ecstatic, in his observing the (needlessly) controversial debate of physician-assisted suicide becoming more mainstream a discussion in certain parts of the generally secularistic West. Granted, a benighted camp of detractors opposed to doctor-assisted suicide make up the greater majority even to this day -- incidentally, many of them monotheistic, who in keeping with their dogmatic stance on this issue furthermore have no problem accepting the extremely heinous doctrine of an extended life of eternal pain and suffering for nonbelievers -- even so, safe to say a still extant JK would be proud as he watches the movement he in large part pioneered gain momentum with each passing year, however gradually and sometimes with to-be-expected setbacks.
Rather curiously, however, Kevorkian's work is given nary a mention in THE SUICIDE PLAN, a nevertheless riveting film which takes an unflinching look at those who, stricken with an incurable, debilitating and often painful disease, understandably wish to opt out of their intolerable misery, via what is termed 'assisted dying.' Even more strange to quite a number of 21st century, sympathetic souls is why such a compassionate and merciful thing as this would be illegal, especially in societies professing to be progressive and enlightened -- and yet, lo and behold, such is disturbingly the case in most parts of said world.
So it is that you have men and women who, finding themselves terminally ill and seeking assisted dying, resort to what they consider to be the only sensible option available to them, and thus take to requesting the informational services of either pro-euthanasia groups or right-to-die organizations. With regards to this, there are proponents who reason that, in a perfect world, such a personal decision would not only be legal but would fall under the domain of medical doctors entirely (as opposed to amateurs toting helium tanks), or at least those among the medical profession possessing a humane heart and a spiritually evolved conscience. Sadly, as one learns from watching THE SUICIDE PLAN, humanity isn't 'there' quite yet, in its still having a way to go as far as changing laws to legalize assisted dying is concerned. Cue horrific images of homicide detectives only doing their job, and 'exit guides' being arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, as the film goes 'underground' in its showing of scenes that must be truly repugnant to any genuine ethicist watching.
As many of us know, the fight to legalize assisted dying/euthanasia began in the 1990s and as with any other civil rights cause that has existed in support of our God-given personal autonomy, the path to freedom can be and often is a long and arduous one. On a positive note, THE SUICIDE PLAN, although neutral in the coverage of its content, leaves those viewers on the side of pro-choice & fans of Derek Humphry's bestseller "Final Exit" with the comforting thought that a brighter tomorrow looms on the horizon. Indeed, from what I've been reading in the news of late, it certainly appears so; as in countries such as Canada, in which legislation allowing for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is increasingly being passed and expanded.
Now, whether Hippocrates is turning in his grave over this is another matter, but it wouldn't surprise me if good ol' Jack Kevorkian was up there, as inspirational guide, helping to lead the way.
Rather curiously, however, Kevorkian's work is given nary a mention in THE SUICIDE PLAN, a nevertheless riveting film which takes an unflinching look at those who, stricken with an incurable, debilitating and often painful disease, understandably wish to opt out of their intolerable misery, via what is termed 'assisted dying.' Even more strange to quite a number of 21st century, sympathetic souls is why such a compassionate and merciful thing as this would be illegal, especially in societies professing to be progressive and enlightened -- and yet, lo and behold, such is disturbingly the case in most parts of said world.
So it is that you have men and women who, finding themselves terminally ill and seeking assisted dying, resort to what they consider to be the only sensible option available to them, and thus take to requesting the informational services of either pro-euthanasia groups or right-to-die organizations. With regards to this, there are proponents who reason that, in a perfect world, such a personal decision would not only be legal but would fall under the domain of medical doctors entirely (as opposed to amateurs toting helium tanks), or at least those among the medical profession possessing a humane heart and a spiritually evolved conscience. Sadly, as one learns from watching THE SUICIDE PLAN, humanity isn't 'there' quite yet, in its still having a way to go as far as changing laws to legalize assisted dying is concerned. Cue horrific images of homicide detectives only doing their job, and 'exit guides' being arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, as the film goes 'underground' in its showing of scenes that must be truly repugnant to any genuine ethicist watching.
As many of us know, the fight to legalize assisted dying/euthanasia began in the 1990s and as with any other civil rights cause that has existed in support of our God-given personal autonomy, the path to freedom can be and often is a long and arduous one. On a positive note, THE SUICIDE PLAN, although neutral in the coverage of its content, leaves those viewers on the side of pro-choice & fans of Derek Humphry's bestseller "Final Exit" with the comforting thought that a brighter tomorrow looms on the horizon. Indeed, from what I've been reading in the news of late, it certainly appears so; as in countries such as Canada, in which legislation allowing for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is increasingly being passed and expanded.
Now, whether Hippocrates is turning in his grave over this is another matter, but it wouldn't surprise me if good ol' Jack Kevorkian was up there, as inspirational guide, helping to lead the way.
