Controversial "Dr. Death" Jack Kevorkian Dies

By drodriguez Jun 03, 2011

Dr. Jack Kevorkian, also known as “Dr. Death”, died today while being cared for in a Detroit area hospital.

Dr. Kevorkian was responsible for bringing the extremely controversial euthanasia debate to the forefront of American culture. A Washington Post article reports that throughout his life’s work he assisted more than 130 patients in taking their own lives, was arrested many times, and ended up serving 8 years in prison after he released a video in which he was clearly seen administering a fatal dose of drugs to a patient too sick to do it himself.

Though many disagree with the legalization of euthanasia, Dr. Kevorkian deeply felt that what he was doing was only helping people. During a 2010 interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Dr. Kevorkian said, “I didn’t do it to end a life. I did it to end the suffering the patient’s going through. The patient’s obviously suffering – what’s a doctor supposed to do, turn his back?”

Dr. Kevorkian was 83 years old and his death was reportedly caused by kidney related problems.

What do you think of Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s lifelong battle to legalize physician-assisted suicide?

Tell us your stance on the issue of euthanasia.

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Comments

by tammyyarbrough | MADISON, AL

Jun 03, 2011

I believe that every person has the right to make the decission about their own fate. In my opinion, what Dr. Kervorkian helped his patients do was not physician-assisted suicide, but rather physician-assisted sympathy. He was a very compassionate doctor who helped end the suffering of those who chose to suffer no more. The patients he helped were of sound mind, and therefore had every right to have a professional assist them in ending their own lives before the illnesses became unbearable. It's a shame that more doctor's DO turn their backs on the patients who have trusted them with their health for years. May he rest in peace.

by felicia1960 | WELLINGTON, FL

Jun 03, 2011

I believe you have a choice what to do with your own body. Be it abortion or euthanasia or shaving under your arms. My body my choice. The people that went to Dr. Kevorkian did just that they went to him he didn't knock on their door asking to kill them. I am sorry there was not a person around for him if he had wanted help dying. He had no family he was hurting no one by dying other than himself.

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