Ep 6. Better Off Dead?

In season 3 episode 6 of Frontline, titled "Better Off Dead?", the show examines the controversial practice of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. The episode follows the case of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a retired pathologist who brought the issue of end-of-life care to the forefront of public consciousness in the 1990s. Kevorkian, also known as "Dr. Death," claimed to have assisted in the deaths of over 100 terminally ill patients who were suffering from chronic pain and other chronic conditions.

The episode explores Kevorkian's motivations and methods, including his homemade "Mercy Machine" which he used to administer lethal injections to his patients, as well as the ethics and legal issues surrounding assisted suicide. It also delves into the personal stories of some of Kevorkian's patients and their families, as well as interviews with medical experts, activists, and legal professionals on both sides of the debate.

Throughout the episode, Frontline raises important questions about end-of-life care and the right to die with dignity. Is it ever ethical for a doctor to assist in a patient's suicide? Should patients have the right to decide how and when they die, or should such decisions always be the purview of medical professionals and the law? And if physician-assisted suicide is legalized, how can it be regulated to prevent potential abuses and ensure that patients are making informed decisions?

Overall, "Better Off Dead?" is a thoughtful and thought-provoking exploration of a complex and controversial issue that continues to raise important ethical and legal questions in our society today.