Michigan’s Medical Society Sidesteps Debate on Assisted Suicide
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The state Medical Society reaffirmed without debate Sunday its opposition to doctor-assisted suicide in most cases, angering some members who wanted to air their differences.
With Michigan’s own Jack Kevorkian at the center of a national debate, leaders of the 11,700-member group expected more of a battle.
“I’m extremely upset. Through our inaction we’re allowing Kevorkian to dominate the debate,” said Dr. Louis Zako, a delegate. Kevorkian was acquitted last week of violating a state law that bans assisted suicide.
Under the Medical Society’s reaffirmed policy, a physician is allowed to help a patient to commit suicide only after all other options are exhausted. The delegates voted 85 to 32 to reaffirm the policy.
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