Shot

Assisted Suicide Timeline

By lindsaybeaner
  • New York-First US Statute outlawing assisted suicide

    New York-First US Statute outlawing assisted suicide

    Enacted in New York (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • Period: to

    Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide

  • Samuel Williams publically advocates use of morphine and other drugs for euthanasia

    Samuel Williams publically advocates use of morphine and other drugs for euthanasia

    (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • The Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation Society is founded in England by C. Killick Millard

    The Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation Society is founded in England by C. Killick Millard

    (ProCon.org,, 2010a, Public Agenda, 2005)
  • The National Society for the Legalization of Euthanasia (NSLE) is founded by Charles Francis Potter.

    The National Society for the Legalization of Euthanasia (NSLE) is founded by Charles Francis Potter.

    This society is later renamed the Euthanasia Society of America (ESA). (ProCon.org, 2010a, Public Agenda, 2005)
  • First Living Will written by attorney Luis Kutner

    First Living Will written by attorney Luis Kutner

    (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • Irreversible Coma is defined as a criterion for death by the Harvard Medical School Committee

    Irreversible Coma is defined as a criterion for death by the Harvard Medical School Committee

    (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • Nation's first Aid in Dying Statute signed into law in California by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.

    Nation's first Aid in Dying Statute signed into law in California by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.

    This statute allows terminally ill persons the right to authorize the withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment when death is iminent.
    (ProCon.org, 2010a, Public Agenda, 2005)
  • Declaration on Euthanasia issued by Pope John Paull II

    Declaration on Euthanasia issued by Pope John Paull II

    Opposed to mercy killing but permitting the increased use of painkillers and patient's refusal for sustaining life through extraordianary means.
    (ProCon.org, 2010a, Public Agenda, 2005)
  • Jack Kevorkian, MD, participates in his first assisted suicide

    Jack Kevorkian, MD, participates in his first assisted suicide

    Jack Kevorkian assists in the death of Janet Adkins, a middle-aged woman with alzheimers. By November of 1998, Kevorkian had helped 120 people die.
    (ProCon.org, 2010a, Public Agenda, 2005)
  • Compassion in Dying is founded

    Compassion in Dying is founded

    Founded in Washington state, this group challenges state laws on assisted suicide. They also counsel the terminally ill by providing information about how to die without suffering, and if necessary, with personal assistance.
    (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • The Oregon Death With Dignity Act is passed

    The Oregon Death With Dignity Act is passed

    This is the first American law in history permitting physician-assisted suicide.
    (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 signed by President Clinton

    Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 signed by President Clinton

    This prohibits the use of federal funds for assisted suicide.
    (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • Jack Kevorkian is convicted of murder by a Michigan court, for the murder of Thomas Youk.

    Jack Kevorkian is convicted of murder by a Michigan court, for the murder of Thomas Youk.

    He is sentenced to serve 10-25 years in prison.
    (Johnson, 1999)
  • The Netherlands is the 1st country to officially legalize euthanasia

    The Netherlands is the 1st country to officially legalize euthanasia

    (BBC News, 2002)
  • Luxembourg legalizes euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide

    Luxembourg legalizes euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide

    (ProCon.org, 2010a)
  • Washington Death With Dignity Act

    Washington Death With Dignity Act

    Washington is the second US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide
    (ProCon.orga)
  • Montana legalizes physician-assisted suicide

    Montana legalizes physician-assisted suicide

    Montana is the third US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide.
    (ProCon.org, 2010a)