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Switzerland Suicide Tourism

Suicide Tourism

Switzerland's Suicide Tourism More Shocking Than Kevorkian's Escapades
by Wesley J. Smith

The similarities between the "Suicide tourism" ongoing in Switzerland and Jack Kevorkian's death circus are just too striking to ignore. Both involved depressed people with disabilities, people with terminal illnesses, and some people who are not I'll at all traveling from their homes to be made dead with the participation of strangers. Both involved publicity hungry vultures, Kevorkian and Dignitas' Ludwig Minelli (among others), who use their ghoulish fame to push a death on demand agenda. Here's a difference: Kevorkian helped kill for free, while Minelli's group charges about $8000 to be made dead. On the other hand, Kevorkian's goal, as described in Prescription Medicide, was to conduct medical experiments on living people being euthanized, a proposed process Kevorkian called "Obitiatry." Minelli seems content to count the money and pat himself on the back for his compassion. Kevorkian is out of business now, getting $50,000 a kill, er I mean, a speech. But the Swiss government is apparently embarrassed by all of the publicity suicide tourism is garnering.
Ref. Source 5

Tourism Suicide Switzerland

Media Glorification of Suicide Tourism Causes British Woman to Kill Herself

London, England (LifeNews.com) -- A woman in England with multiple sclerosis killed herself after watching a BBC program glorifying suicide tourism in Switzerland. That is the practice where residents of England and other European nations head to the mountain nation to kill themselves at the controversial clinic run by the pro-euthanasia group Dignitas. Angela Harrison, 44, took an overdose of drugs after watching the drama, "A Short Stay in Switzerland," that appeared on the popular British television network in January. Harrison was rushed to a hospital in her hometown of Cambridgeshire, but was pronounced dead just two days later. American bioethicist Wesley J. Smith decried the news and said it shows the problems of the mainstream media pushing the virtues of death as a solution to advancing age or medical problems. "We have discussed the suicide proselytizing in the media and popular culture here many times," Smith explained. "But this story hits the nail." During a court hearing last week, investigators showed how Angela had battled depression for several years as a result of her deteriorating condition and that she had spoken with her children frequently about the possibility of taking her life if her MS became too much to bear. Pro-life advocates have repeatedly said more must be done to treat patients' depression and pain instead of merely offering deadly drugs to take one's life. Harrison's brother told the hearing that she had been planning a cruise in the days leading up to her death but decided to kill herself after watching the BBC program. "Promoting assisted suicide--and its romanticizing in the press and entertainment media--has deadly consequences. Will that lesson be learned? No. The argument will just be made--as it has often before--that she shouldn't have had to do it alone," Smith concluded.

Switzerland Suicide Tourism Reviews Consumer & Travel Family Culture

Swiss to tackle 'suicide tourism'

The Swiss government lays out proposals to ban or severely restrict assisted suicide as part of plans to combat "suicide tourism". Ref. Source 8

Tourism Suicide Switzerland

48 hours in Basel, Switzerland

Offering far more than just a set of financial regulations, the city on the edge of the world's oldest democracy offers a perfect juxtaposition of modern cultural pizzazz and historical grandeur. Ref. Source 3

Tourism Suicide Switzerland

Switzerland: 750% Increase in Assisted Suicides Since 1998

Now that the Tony Nicklinson case is over and the next assisted suicide bills (from Falconer in the House of Lords and Macdonald in Scotland) are not to be debated until next year one could be forgiven for thinking that the relentless media pressure for the legalisation of euthanasia might relent for a few weeks. Ref. Source 7

Switzerland Suicide Tourism

This is absolutely crazy. The mere existence of such a clinic should be enough to push the authorities to undertake serious countermisures. It can't be forbidden, since it doesn't infringe Swiss law, but should at least be prevented from making any publicity outside of its own Country, specially in areas (the EU) where such a practice is illegal. Tobacco companies can't promote commercial campaigns but anybody can get phone number and address of a clinic that kills people?

Switzerland Suicide Tourism

People would use anything they can to make a dollar, I don't have any problem with that once its legal. I don't have a problem with people who want to end their life either, once they know the consequences it should be their own decision.