California to legalise assisted suicide

California to become the fourth American state to legalise physician assisted-suicide.

The Bill follows the highly publicised case of Brittany Maynard-a terminally-ill woman-who moved from California to Oregon in order to obtain an assisted suicide.

State Governor Jerry Brown, who formerly trained as a Catholic priest, signed the Bill into law on Monday.

In a letter to the California State Assembly, the governor said: “In the end, I was left to reflect on what I would want in the face of my own death.”

The full text of the governor’s letter is published below:

“To the Members of the California State Assembly:

ABx2 15 is not an ordinary bill because it deals with life and death. The crux of the matter is whether the State of California should continue to make it a crime for a dying person to end his life, no matter how great his pain or suffering.

I have carefully read the thoughtful opposition materials presented by a number of doctors, religious leaders and those who champion disability rights. I have considered the theological and religious perspectives that any deliberate shortening of one’s life is sinful.

I have also read the letters of those who support the bill, including heartfelt pleas from Brittany Maynard’s family and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In addition, I have discussed this matter with a Catholic Bishop, two of my own doctors and former classmates and friends who take varied, contradictory and nuanced positions.

In the end, I was left to reflect on what I would want in the face of my own death.

I do not know what I would do if I were dying in prolonged and excruciating pain. I am certain, however, that it would be a comfort to be able to consider the options afforded by this bill. And I wouldn’t deny that right to others.

Sincerely,
Edmund G. Brown, Jr.”