"Whose Choice Is Death?" FREE public debate

[colorgarden.livejournal.com]

WHAT: Ford Hall Forum presents "Whose Choice Is Death" a FREE, public debate on physician-assisted death

WHO: Speakers: Marcia Angell, M.D. (Senior Lecturer in Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School) and Guy Maytal, M.D. (Associate Director of Ambulatory Psychiatry, MGH); Moderator: Jack Wrobel (Ford Hall Forum, Vice President)

WHEN: Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (TOMORROW!)

WHERE: Suffolk Law School, 120 Tremont. St., Boston, Room 295

With the vote on the physician-assisted suicide initiative coming down to a slim margin this past November, voters of Massachusetts appear torn. Is this dignity or playing God? Mercy or giving up too soon? Does it give people who are suffering a way to control their own destinies, or people with hidden agendas a way to do away with the vulnerable? And how soon will this issue arise again in our state? Come hear this debate and decide for yourself whether physician-assisted suicide should ever be Massachusetts law.

NOTE: Please register online and bring an ID so you can enter the building without hassle. Thank you!

Comments

[elusiveat.livejournal.com]

This issue really matters to me. I want the option of death with dignity for myself, but really struggle with the idea that legalization of something I value so much for myself could open the door to nightmare scenarios for other people. However, I don't think I can bring myself to attend a public debate like this. I would probably watch a videorecording of a discussion along these lines if it existed.

Out of curiosity, though, I poked around on the internet for information on the two doctors who will be debating.

Marcia Angell (making the case in favor of doctor assisted suicide) appears to be a high profile heavyweight who's made appearances on PBS and so on:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcia_Angell

Guy Maytal (making the case against doctor assisted suicide) doesn't seem to be nearly as high profile, and has a couple of frighteningly negative patient reviews:
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Guy_Maytal.html

Thought this information might be useful for others deciding whether to attend.