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NEWS RELEASE
July 14, 1998
In contrast to National Right to Life, which is morally opposed to the "Death with Dignity" Oregon law, Not Dead Yet claims that current assisted-suicide laws discriminate against people with disabilities. Offering assistance only to individuals with terminal or non-terminal but incurable conditions, the assisted-suicide initiatives create an obvious double standard.
"I wish that this civil rights violation were as obvious to everyone," said Coleman, "as it would be if assisted suicide were legalized based on gender or race."
Coleman had earlier pointed out that although 4 out of 5 completed suicides are by males, women try to commit suicide three times as often. "Should we consider legalizing assisted suicide for women?" she asked.
Not Dead Yet rallied on the steps of the Supreme Court in 1997 when the Court heard oral arguments in Vacco v. Quill. Although the Court found no Constitutional Right to suicide, many people do not see the corresponding danger to civil liberties. Not Dead Yet warns that a "right to die" can easily turn into a "duty to die" with the increased pressures from managed health care.
Read the Summary of Diane Coleman's Testimony
Local, Memphis:
Tim Wheat
(901) 726-6404 * (901) 726-6521 fax
1633 Madison Avenue - Memphis TN 38104
National:
Steve Drake
Rochester, NY.
Diane Coleman
(708) 209-1500 ext. 11
7521 Madison St., - Forest Park, IL 60130
Lucy Gwin
Editor of Mouth
(716) 244-6599
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org
MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency
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