California to Become Sixth American State to Approve Euthanasia

Californians who have been looking to the legislature for the option to determine the quality of their final days of life based on their own personal beliefs.

California is set to become the sixth American state to approve euthanasia. It is a controversial issue in the United States fueled by the recent suicide of a woman suffering from terminal cancer.

"This is a historic step forward for Californians with terminal illnesses who have been looking to the legislature for the option to determine the quality of their final days of life based on their own personal beliefs," said Senator Bill Monning, one of the backers of the bill approved by the state assembly on Wednesday.

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The 24-year-old does not have a life-threatening sickness, but she was granted euthanasia due to the depression she had dealt with for several years.

The measure, approved by 43 votes against 34, is expected to be adopted by the state senate this week.

Euthanasia, or assisted suicide, has long been a controversial issue in the United States, with Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington the only states to have approved it so far.

The topic was brought to the forefront in California by the case of Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old with a brain tumor who moved from San Francisco to Oregon and took her own life last November.

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Urging the suppression of the current 12-year age limit, pediatricians have requested that terminally ill children in unbearable suffering should be given the right to die.

"Her case brought the story to the public in a way that hadn't been done before," said Monica Schmalenberger, an aid to California Senator Lois Wolk, a supporter of the euthanasia bill.

Another woman suffering from leukemia is suing the state of California demanding the right for doctors to assist terminally ill patients end their lives.

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Lecretia Seales' death came shortly after she received judge David Collins' ruling that changing laws on euthanasia was a role for parliament, not the courts.

Source-AFP

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