Physician-Assisted Suicide Measure Passes NJ Assembly

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – The New Jersey State Assembly has voted in favor of physician-assisted suicide.

The measure passed by a vote of 7-2 with two abstentions.

The Death with Dignity Act would allow terminally ill patients to be prescribed medication that would end their lives.

Under the measure, the lethal medication would only be made available to patients who are told by two doctors that they have six months or less to live.

Patients must be capable of making an informed decision of whether to die, according to the bill.

Supporters said the proposal to allow patients to self-administer lethal medication allows the terminally ill the choice to die humanely.

Several opponents of the bill testified before the Assembly, calling the proposal unethical. Some opponents said there are many cases where patients are given just six months to live but end up living for years.

more here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/02/07/physician-assisted-suicide-measure-passes-nj-assembly/