Frontline Season 8 Episode 2 The Right to Die?

The Frontline season 8 episode 2 titled "The Right to Die?" delves into the controversial issue of assisted suicide. The episode follows several individuals who suffer from terminal illnesses and are fighting for the right to end their lives on their own terms. The show explores the ethical and legal implications of assisted suicide and the societal attitudes towards it.

The first segment of the episode introduces viewers to Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a pathology resident turned advocate for assisted suicide. Dr. Kevorkian gained notoriety in the 1990s for his "suicide machine," a device that allowed terminally ill patients to end their lives at the push of a button. The segment highlights Dr. Kevorkian's belief that individuals have the right to die with dignity and the opposition he faced from lawmakers and religious groups.

The second segment follows Diane, a woman suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, as she seeks the right to end her life with physician assistance. Diane and her husband explain their struggles to find a doctor who will help them, despite the fact that physician-assisted suicide is legal in their state. Diane's story shines a light on the challenges that patients and families face when navigating the legal and medical systems to access assisted suicide.

The third segment profiles Derek Humphry, the founder of the Hemlock Society, a pro-assisted suicide group. Humphry discusses his motivations for starting the organization and shares his personal experience of watching his wife suffer through a painful death. The segment also includes interviews with opponents of assisted suicide, who argue that it is immoral and could potentially lead to abuses.

The final segment explores the case of Dr. Timothy Quill, a New York physician who was charged with manslaughter for prescribing a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill patient. The case sparked a national debate about whether physicians should be allowed to assist with suicide and the ethical obligations that doctors have to their patients.

Throughout the episode, Frontline presents a balanced view of the assisted suicide debate, giving voice to both supporters and opponents of the practice. The show highlights the emotional and ethical complexities of the issue, including the right to self-determination, concerns about the potential for abuse, and the importance of compassionate care for terminally ill patients. Ultimately, "The Right to Die?" invites viewers to consider their own beliefs about assisted suicide and the role of government in end-of-life decisions.