The Hemlock Society was an advocacy group existing between 1980 and 2003. It promoted physician-assisted suicide and continues to endure and promote absolute patient right over their lives as varying groups in the USA.
Jacob Kevorkian is an example of euthanasia’s ills as he helped administer 130 deaths in this manner. He provided active and passive euthanasia to these patients, with some not exhibiting a terminal illness. Some of the doctor’s patients presented depression symptoms, illustrating how physicians may abuse their role to propagate suicide or murder.
Brittany Maynard was a terminally ill individual who decided to end her life rather than face what she termed as more harm to herself and her family. She worked together with one of Hemlock Society’s partners to push this agenda, prompting national debate as younger people started critically considering physician-assisted suicide as an option.