Derek Humphry
Derek Humphry: A Pioneer in Assisted Suicide and Right-to-Die Advocacy
Full Name and Common Aliases
Derek Humphry is a British journalist, author, and advocate for the right to die with dignity. His full name is Derek Stanley Humphry.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on May 1, 1930, in London, England, he passed away on December 18, 2022, at the age of 92.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Derek Humphry was a British citizen with a career spanning multiple fields: journalist, author, filmmaker, and advocate. His work focuses primarily on issues related to euthanasia and assisted dying.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in England during World War II had a profound impact on Humphry's worldview. He witnessed the devastation caused by the war and began questioning the value of life under dire circumstances. This early exposure laid the groundwork for his future advocacy work.
Humphry's professional journey started as a journalist, where he covered various topics, including politics, arts, and culture. His writing often reflected his growing interest in social issues and human rights. As he delved deeper into these subjects, he began to concentrate on euthanasia and the right-to-die movement.
Major Accomplishments
Derek Humphry's significant contributions to the right-to-die movement are multifaceted:
Author of "Final Exit": This 1991 book is considered a seminal work in the assisted dying debate. It provides practical guidance on self-deliverance for those seeking to end their lives.
Founder of the Hemlock Society: In 1980, Humphry co-founded this pioneering organization, which aimed to promote the right to die with dignity. The society became a leading voice in the euthanasia movement.
Advocate and Activist: Throughout his career, Humphry has been an outspoken advocate for assisted dying, working closely with organizations and individuals around the world.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Derek Humphry include:
"Dying to Live: The Story of a Man Who Defied Medicine's Deadliest Odds" (2009): This autobiography shares his personal experiences and reflects on his work in the right-to-die movement.
"Freedom to Die: People, Politics, and the Right-to-Die Movement in America" (1978): An early exploration of the American euthanasia debate.Impact and Legacy
Derek Humphry's impact is profound:
His tireless advocacy has helped bring attention to the complexities surrounding end-of-life care and the importance of personal autonomy. His work continues to inspire new generations of advocates for assisted dying.
His legacy extends beyond his written works, as he has influenced a significant shift in public opinion on euthanasia.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Derek Humphry is widely quoted and remembered because:
Pioneering Work: He was one of the first to openly discuss assisted dying in mainstream media, challenging societal norms.
* Bravery and Conviction: His unwavering commitment to promoting the right to die with dignity has made him a respected figure within the movement.
His legacy serves as a testament to his dedication to the cause and continues to inspire discussions about end-of-life care and personal autonomy.
Quotes by Derek Humphry
Derek Humphry's insights on:
We have become so brainwashed by the fast, usually bloodless, and always painless deaths shown continually by the movie and television production industry that our collective perceptions of the act of death are sanitized. Whether by gunshot or through illness, the actor just rolls over and that’s the end. We want so much to believe that this is true that we don’t question it.
What separates a chosen “good death” from a bad one almost always comes down, upon analysis, to the amount of planning, attention to detail, and the quality of the assistance, all of which are vital to decent termination of life.
When a doctor is prescribing a lethal concoction to be taken orally, the drugs are best taken in a dissolved liquid, which can be downed quickly. The occasional delayed-action death is almost always caused by the patient falling asleep before taking enough.
If assistance is justifiable, a date is fixed for the final exit in the presence of two visitors who are there to give advice and moral support, but who do not break the law by physically assisting. The means by which the patient is to die have been agreed on beforehand: either drugs, or helium injected into a plastic hood. The helium method has been proven to be the quickest and most peaceful.
Death comes quickly in bitterly cold water from hypothermia. The lower the temperature, the faster the end. But there is always the chance that someone of whom you are not aware is watching and there is a possibility of rescue. This manner of suicide also leaves unanswered questions for survivors. Was it deliberate (if no note is left) or accidental? Will the body ever be found? Will there be an extensive search for the body, risking other people’s lives and a great deal of public expense?
Self-destruction by hanging is almost always an act of protest, a desire to shock and hurt someone. Therefore, believers in euthanasia avoid it. Even if the job of cutting down the body is left to the police or paramedics, this is an unacceptably selfish way to die, and I have never heard of a euthanasia supporter using it. Unless the neck is broken by the rope jerking the fall to a stop (as a professional hangman arranges), then it is death by strangulation, often not so quick.
Another depressed man in southern California who collected rattlesnakes as a hobby deliberately allowed one of his pets to bite him five or six times on the right hand. He suffered a fatal heart attack.
Not so bizarre, and a method for which I have respect, is freezing to death on a mountain. It takes a certain sort of person to want to die this way: having a love of and knowledge of mountains, determination, and the enduring courage to carry it off.
When choosing to die on a mountain or similar lonely place, it is considerate to leave a note saying where your body can be found. Otherwise, people might risk their lives and expend considerable resources hunting in dangerous places for you.
The key to the effectiveness of cyanide as a killer is the water. This is borne out by evidence in textbooks that flocks of sheep that have eaten plants containing cyanide do not die so long as they do not drink. If the animals are near water, the plants are fatal.