As we have seen in Australia in recent times, Death with Dignity uses polling figures as their strongest marketting tool.  There they claim 82% support and a sizeable bloc of legislators in support.We do not know the poll question used; but if it's anything like that used here in Australia all it really tells us is that a large percentage of those polled agree with the question â�� it tells us little or nothing about their attitudes to euthanasia as practiced and nothing about how they feel about an particular type of legislation. Continue reading

British Medical Journal Oct 5, 2010 Comment: Determines that 47.2% of all euthanasia deaths were not reported.  Link to study at external source Continue reading

Canadian Medical Association Journal May 17, 2010 Comment: The results are determined by reports from physicians responding to a questionnaire concerning specific deaths. 32% of euthanasia deaths were done without explicit request or consent.  Link to article at the CMAJ  Continue reading

Disability and Health Journal Jan, 2010 Comment: DHJ devoted an entire journal to disability issues  Link to the journal Continue reading

Michigan Law Review Nov, 2008 Comment: Looks at Oregon's assisted suicide laws and questions the efficacy of safeguards.Link to article at external site Continue reading

British Medical Journal Aug, 2008 Comment: Concerns the link between depression and request for assisted suicide in Oregon. 26% of participants in the study were considered to be depressed or experiencing feelings of hopelessness; yet none were sent for an assessment (which is considered a 'safeguard' in Oregon's DWDA law.).   Link to study at BMJ website Continue reading

Childs Nervous System. Jan, 2008 Comment: Questions the whole thrust of the Groningen protocol.  Link to article at external website Continue reading

Journal of Medical Ethics Oct, 2007 Comment: Challenges the assertion that vulnerable groups are not affected by euthanasia & assisted suicide laws.Link to abstract only Continue reading

The New England Journal of Medicine May, 2007 Comment: This is the study on the 2005 statistics from the Netherlands noting that 20% of all euthanasia deaths were not reported. Also noted the increase in death by 'continuous deep sedation'.  Link to article at NEJM Continue reading

Journal of Clinical Oncology Sep 20, 2005 Comment: Concerns the link between depression and euthanasia. The author hypothesised that there was no connection. Conclusion that people with signs of depression or a sense of hopelessness were 4.1 times more likely to request euthanasia.  Link to study at JCO website Continue reading