Wikipedia

Philip Nitschke

Philip Haig Nitschke[1] (/ˈnɪtʃkɪ/; born 8 August 1947) is an Australian humanist, author, former physician, and founder and director of the pro-euthanasia group Exit International. He campaigned successfully to have a legal euthanasia law passed in Australia's Northern Territory and assisted four people in ending their lives before the law was overturned by the Government of Australia. Nitschke was the first doctor in the world to administer a legal, voluntary, lethal injection,[2] after which the patient activated the syringe using a computer. Nitschke states that he and his group are regularly subject to harassment by authorities. In 2015, Nitschke burned his medical practising certificate in response to what he saw as onerous conditions that violated his right to free speech, imposed on him by the Medical Board of Australia.[3] Nitschke has been referred to in the media as "Dr Death" or "the Elon Musk of assisted suicide".[4][5]

Philip Nitschke
Nitschke in 2016
Born (1947-08-08) 8 August 1947 (age 76)
Ardrossan, South Australia
EducationUniversity of Adelaide (B.Sc.)
Flinders University (PhD),
University of Sydney (Sydney Medical School) (M.B.B.S.)
Years active1988–present
Known forInfluencing euthanasia debate worldwide
The Peaceful Pill Handbook
Medical career
ProfessionPhysician and author
Sub-specialtiesEuthanasia medicine
ResearchEuthanasia and voluntary assisted death
Awards

Early life and career edit

Nitschke was born in 1947 in Ardrossan, South Australia, the son of school teachers Harold and Gweneth (Gwen) Nitschke.[6] Nitschke studied physics at the University of Adelaide, gaining a PhD from Flinders University in laser physics in 1972. Rejecting a career in the sciences, he instead travelled to the Northern Territory to take up work with the Aboriginal land rights activist Vincent Lingiari and the Gurindji at Wave Hill. After the hand-back of land by the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, Nitschke became a Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife ranger. However, after badly injuring his subtalar joint, which effectively finished his career as a ranger, he began studying for a medical degree. In addition to having long been interested in studying medicine he has suffered from hypochondria most of his adult life and futilely hoped with his medical studies to educate himself out of the problem.[7] He graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School in 1989.[1]

After graduating Nitschke worked as an intern at Royal Darwin Hospital, and then as an after hours general practitioner. When the Northern Territory branch of the Australian Medical Association publicly opposed the proposed Northern Territory legislation to provide for legal euthanasia, Nitschke and a small group of dissenting Territory doctors published a contrary opinion in the NT News under the banner Doctors for change. This put him in a position of an informal spokesperson for the proposed legislation.[8] After the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act (ROTI Act) came into force on 1 July 1996, Nitschke assisted four terminally ill people to end their lives using the Deliverance Machine he developed.[9] This practice was ceased when the ROTI Act was effectively nullified by the Australian Parliament's Euthanasia Laws Act 1997.

In the 1996 Australian federal election Nitschke ran in the seat of the Northern Territory for the Australian Greens but was unsuccessful.[10]

After the ROTI Act was nullified Nitschke began providing advice to others about how they can end their lives, leading to the formation of Exit International in 1997. A notable case of Nitschke's was that of Nancy Crick, aged 69. On 22 May 2002, Crick, in the presence of over 20 friends and family (but not Nitschke), took a lethal dose of barbiturates, went quickly to sleep and died within 20 minutes. Nitschke had encouraged Crick to enter palliative care, which she did for a number of days before returning home again. She had undergone multiple surgeries to treat bowel cancer and was left with multiple dense and inoperable bowel adhesions that left her in constant pain and frequently in the toilet with diarrhoea.[11] She was not, however, terminally ill at the time of her death.[12][13] Nitschke said the scar tissue from previous cancer surgery had caused her suffering. "She didn't actually want to die when she had cancer. She wanted to die after she had cancer treatment," he said.[13]

Nitschke made headlines in New Zealand when he announced plans to accompany eight New Zealanders to Mexico where the drug Nembutal, capable of producing a fatal overdose, can be purchased legally.[14] He also made headlines, even angering some fellow right-to-die advocates, when he presented his plan to launch a "death ship" that would have allowed him to circumvent local laws by euthanising people from around the world in international waters.[15]

In the 2007 Australian federal election Nitschke ran against the Australian politician Kevin Andrews in the Victorian seat of Menzies but was unsuccessful.[16]

In 2009 Nitschke helped to promote Dignified Departure, a 13-hour, pay-television program on doctor-assisted suicide in Hong Kong and mainland China. The program aired in October in China on the Family Health channel, run by the official China National Radio.[17]

Organisations opposed to euthanasia,[18][19] as well as some supporting euthanasia, are critical of Nitschke and his methods.[20][21]

Conflict with Medical Board of Australia edit

In February 2014 Nitschke was approached after a workshop by Nigel Brayley, 45. Brayley was facing ongoing questions about the death of his wife, which police were treating as suspected murder.[22] Two other female friends of his had also died, one of whom is still missing.[22][23][24][25] Nitschke recounts that Brayley rebuffed suggestions to seek counselling,[26] and had already obtained the drug Nembutal.[27] Brayley then committed suicide in May 2014. Although Nitschke was unaware of the investigation at the time, he now believes that Brayley, whom he described as a "serial killer", had made a rational decision to commit suicide rather than face long imprisonment.[27] Nitschke stated that he does not believe he could have changed Brayley's mind, that Brayley was not his patient, that Brayley was not depressed and did not seek or want Nitschke's advice.[28] The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) and Beyondblue said Nitschke had an obligation to refer the man to a psychologist or psychiatrist[29] (a view dismissed by the NT Supreme Court in 2015).

On 23 July 2014, as a consequence of the Brayley case, the MBA voted to use emergency powers to suspend his practitioner's licence immediately, on the grounds that he presented "a serious risk to public health and safety". Nitschke said he would appeal the suspension, which he claimed was politically motivated, and that the Board "made it clear that what they really object to is the way I think. It's ideas they object to — namely, my belief that people should have a right to suicide, is something they think is contrary to medical practice."[30] The MBA later clarified that the suspension was an interim measure pending the outcome of an inquiry.[31] Nitschke said the suspension will not affect his work for Exit International and that he had not practised medicine for years.[32]

Nitschke appealed to an MBA tribunal in Darwin to have his July 2014 suspension from practising medicine overturned. In late 2014 the appeal was rejected on the grounds that, although it was accepted that Brayley was not Nitschke's patient,[33] the controversial concept of rational suicide was inconsistent with the medical profession's code of conduct and that, as a medical practitioner providing advice on suicide, he posed a serious risk because people may elect to commit suicide believing it to be a pathway sanctioned by a medical practitioner and perhaps the medical profession generally.[34][35] Nitschke then appealed the tribunal's decision to the Darwin Supreme Court.[34]

On 6 July 2015 the Northern Territory supreme court upheld Nitschke's appeal, finding the emergency suspension of his licence by the MBA should not have been upheld by a review tribunal.[36] Justice Hiley's ruling said that the tribunal and board had misconstrued the doctors’ code of conduct, which requires them to "protect and promote the health of individuals", as extending to all doctors and all individuals. "A doctor would constantly need to fear that any interaction with any other individual or community, including an individual who is not and never has been his or her patient, may be in breach of the (code), even if the doctor did nothing in circumstances where there was no other obligation to do something," he said. Nitschke said the MBA's erroneous interpretation was "ludicrous" and flew in the face of common law.[37] Nitschke's lawyer will apply for costs of approximately AU$300,000, which were paid using donations, including $20,000 from Swiss euthanasia organisation Dignitas.[38]

In October 2015 the MBA lifted Nitschke's suspension but drew up a list of 25 conditions under which Nitschke could continue to practise. These conditions included prohibitions on giving advice or information to the public or patients about euthanasia, or Nembutal, or suicide, and forcing him to rescind his endorsement of and involvement with the 'Peaceful Pill' handbook and related videos.[39] In response Nitschke, calling the MBA's actions "a heavy-handed and clumsy attempt to restrict the free flow of information on end-of-life choice", surveyed more than 1,000 members of his advocacy group, Exit International, and received strong support for ending his medical registration.[40] As a consequence of the MBA restrictions and the results of the member survey, Nitschke publicly burned his medical practising certificate and announced the end of his medical career, vowing to continue to promote euthanasia.[39]

Nitschke stated that he will remain a doctor and will legitimately use the title "doctor" (he has a PhD), and will continue to see patients and Exit members in clinics that he runs in Australia and other countries.[41] In the wake of this incident, Nitschke and his partner, Fiona Stewart, decided in 2015 to relocate to the more liberal politico-legal environment of Holland.[42]

Conflict with police edit

Nitschke states that he and his group are regularly subject to harassment by authorities, including detention and questioning at international airports, and raids on homes and the premises of Exit International.[43][44][45][46][47]

On 2 May 2009 Nitschke was detained for nine hours by British Immigration officials at Heathrow Airport after arriving for a visit to the UK to lecture on voluntary euthanasia and end-of-life choices. Nitschke said it was a matter of free speech and that his detention said something about changes to British society which were "quite troubling".[48] Nitschke was told that he and his wife, author Fiona Stewart, were detained because the workshops may contravene British law.[48] However, although assisting someone to commit suicide in the UK was illegal, the law did not apply to a person lecturing on the concept of euthanasia, and Nitschke was allowed to enter. Dame Joan Bakewell, the British government's "Voice of Older People", said that the current British law on assisted suicide was "a mess" and that Nitschke should have been made more welcome in the UK.[49]

On 1 August 2014, after euthanasia advocate Max Bromson, 66,[50] who suffered from terminal bone cancer, ended his life with Nembutal in a Glenelg motel room, surrounded by family members, police carried out a three-hour raid on Exit International's Adelaide premises, interrogating Nitschke and seizing Nitschke's phones, computers and other items.[51] Nitschke said he felt violated by the "heavy-handed and unnecessary" police actions and confiscations that would cripple Exit International's activities.[51] In August 2016, after exactly two years of investigation, South Australian police advised that no charges would be laid against anyone over the death.[52][53] In 2019, Nitschke's phone and computer were finally returned.[54]

In April 2016 British police, acting on an Interpol drug alert, forced entry into the home of a member of Nitschke's organisation, retired professor Dr Avril Henry, aged 81,[55] who was in failing health.[56] Without knocking, police —accompanied by a psychiatrist, GP and social worker— forced their way into Dr Henry's home by smashing her glass front door at 10 pm and questioned her for six hours, confiscating a bottle of imported Nembutal, and leaving at 4 am. They decided Dr Henry "had capacity" and would not be sectioned (detained involuntarily for mental assessment).[57] Worried that the police would return and confiscate her remaining Nembutal, she committed suicide four days later.[56] Dr Nitschke commented that police had made Dr Henry's last days on earth a misery and that “police need to realise that in the UK, suicide is not a crime, and mental health authorities need to recognise that not everyone who seeks to end their life is in need of psychiatric intervention", adding that the police action was "a significant abuse of power against a vulnerable elderly woman".[58]

In May 2018 Australian Federal Police used local police force personnel in different regions of the country to conduct late night raids on the homes of elderly Exit members, demanding to know if they had bought the euthanasia drug Nembutal.[59] Pensioners in poor health, some in wheelchairs, were forced to leave their beds and answer police questions.

Operation Painter edit

In October 2016 New Zealand police, in a "sting" operation code named "Operation Painter", set up roadblocks (checkpoints) outside an Exit International meeting and took down names and addresses of all attendees.[60] Some of the elderly members of the group were later visited at their homes by police with warrants, and searches were conducted. Computers, tablets, cameras, letters and books were seized.[61] Nitschke said police actions were unprecedented and probably in breach of the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed freedom of association. The police operation was the subject of an Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation.[60] Legal action against the police followed.[62] In March 2018, the Independent Police Conduct Authority found Operation Painter to be illegal.[63]

This coincided with another action by New Zealand police in which 76-year old Patsy McGrath, a member of Nitschke's Exit group, had her home raided in 2016 and her store-bought helium balloon cylinder confiscated under warrant.[64] The confiscation of the cylinder was later found to be illegal and it was returned to her in 2018.[63]

Views on euthanasia edit

Dying with dignity edit

On 29 April 2009 Nitschke said: "It seems we demand humans to live with indignity, pain and anguish whereas we are kinder to our pets when their suffering becomes too much. It simply is not logical or mature. Trouble is, we have had too many centuries of religious claptrap."[65] He works mainly with older people from whom he gains inspiration, saying: "You get quite inspired and uplifted by the elderly folk who see this as quite a practical approach".[66]

In July 2009 Nitschke said he no longer believed voluntary euthanasia should only be available to the terminally ill, but that elderly people afraid of getting old and incapacitated should also have a choice.[67]

Nitschke expects that a growing number of people importing their own euthanasia drugs, "really don't care if the law is changed or not".[68]

Palliative care edit

Palliative care specialists state that many requests for euthanasia arise from fear of physical or psychological distress in the patient's last days, and that widespread and equitable availability of specialist palliative care services will reduce requests for euthanasia. Nitschke is dismissive of this argument. "We have too many people who have the best palliative care in the world and they still want to know that they can put an end to things," he said.[69] "By and large, palliative care have done pretty well out of the argument over the euthanasia issue, because they are the ones that have argued that they just need better funding and then no one will ever want to die – that's a lie."

Younger people and suicide edit

In 2010 the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine released a report into Australian deaths caused by the drug Nembutal, which Nitschke recommends as a euthanasia drug. Of the 51 deaths studied, 14 were of people between the ages of 20 and 40.[70] Nitschke acknowledged that the information about the drug that was provided online could be accessed by people below the age of 50 who were not terminally ill, but argued that the risk was necessary in order to help the elderly and the seriously ill.[71]

It was alleged that Joe Waterman, 25, had committed suicide after accessing Nitschke's online euthanasia handbook, by misrepresenting his age as over 50. Waterman subsequently imported Nembutal and ended his life.[72] In another case Lucas Taylor, 26, committed suicide in Germany by taking Nembutal after soliciting advice at an Exit International online forum (which, according to Nitschke, he accessed by claiming his age was 65).[73]

Individual rights argument edit

Nitschke argues that an individual person has a fundamental right to control their own death just as they have a right to control their own life.[69] He believes in having the "Peaceful Pill" available for every adult of sound mind.[7]

Opposition to Alabama execution technique edit

In 2024, Nitschke appeared in an Alabama court as an expert witness to oppose the state's plan to execute convicted killer Kenneth Smith using a mask-and-gas technique incorporating nitrogen.[74] Nitschke testified that the mask-and-gas approach had been rejected decades ago because it was unreliable, and that Smith could be "horribly maimed without a complete seal between mask and face" leading to incomplete cerebral hypoxia and a resultant vegetative state.[74] Nitschke said that nitrogen must be delivered correctly to work as intended. Nitschke said the Alabama nitrogen hypoxia method was "quick and nasty" and ignored the possibilities of vomiting and air leakage.[75]

Censorship edit

Internet edit

Further information: Internet censorship in Australia

On 22 May 2009 it was disclosed in the press, citing WikiLeaks, that the Australian Government had added the online Peaceful Pill Handbook to the blacklist maintained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority used to filter internet access to citizens of Australia.[76] The Australian Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, planned to introduce legislation just before the 2010 election to make internet service providers block a blacklist of "refused classification" websites. The blacklist is expected to include Exit's websites and other similar sites. Nitschke said the proposals were the "final nail in the coffin for euthanasia advocacy" in Australia, where people are banned from discussing end-of-life issues over the phone, buying books about it or importing printed material on it. "The one avenue we had open to us was the internet, and now it looks like it will be part of Conroy's grand plan to provide a so-called clean feed to Australia. It's outrageous."[77]

In April 2010 Nitschke began holding a series of "Hacking Masterclasses" to teach people how to circumvent the Australian internet filter.[78] Access to Nitschke's online Peaceful Pill Handbook was blocked during trials of the government's filter. A government spokeswoman said euthanasia would not be targeted by the proposed filter,[78] but confirmed that "The (website) ... for accessing an electronic version of the [Peaceful Pill Handbook] was classified as refused classification" because it provided detailed instruction in "crimes relating to the possession, manufacture and importation of barbiturates".

Nitschke said Exit International would investigate if it could set up its own proxy server or VPN tunnel, so its members had a safe way of accessing its information.[79]

In January 2018, YouTube deleted Nitschke's YouTube channel "Exityourtube". The channel had been operating for 10 years. YouTube gave no reason why the account was deleted without notice.

Television edit

On 10 September 2010 Nitschke complained that the Commercials Advice self-regulator of advertising content on Australian commercial television had prevented the television screening of a paid advertisement from Exit International in which an actor depicted a dying man who requested the option of voluntary euthanasia. Commercials Advice reportedly cited Section 2.17.5 of the Commercial Television Code of Practice: Suicide. The advertisement was felt to condone the practice of suicide. Nitschke responded that the acts of Commercials Advice constitute interference with the right to free speech. Similar TV commercials, planned for use during Nitschke's Canadian lecture tour of 2010, were likewise banned by the Television Bureau of Canada, after lobbying by anti-euthanasia pressure groups.[80]

Billboards edit

In 2010 Nitschke planned to use billboards in Australia to feature the message "85 per cent of Australians support voluntary euthanasia but our government won't listen". In September 2010, Nitschke's billboard advertising campaign was blocked by Billboards Australia.[81] Billboards Australia cited section of the NSW Crimes Act that outlaws the aiding or abetting of suicide or attempted suicide. Nitschke was told to provide legal advice outlining how his billboard did not break this law, a request Nitschke described as "ludicrous", pointing out that the billboards urge "political change and in no way could be considered to be in breach of the crimes act".[81] Nitschke said he had sought a legal opinion from prominent human rights lawyer Greg Barns.[81] The lawyer was able to convince Billboards Australia to rescind its ruling, in part.[82]

Euthanasia techniques edit

Exit bag and CoGen edit

Nitschke created devices to aid people who want euthanasia, including a product called the "exit bag" (a large plastic bag with a drawstring allowing it to be secured around the neck) and the "CoGen" (or "Co-Genie") device. The CoGen device generates the deadly gas carbon monoxide, which is inhaled with a face mask.[83]

Euthanasia device edit

Main article: EXIT's Euthanasia Device
 
Philip Nitschke's "Deliverance Machine"

In December 2008 Nitschke released details of a euthanasia machine to the media. He called it "flawless" and "undetectable", saying the new process uses ordinary household products including a barbecue gas bottle — available from hardware stores — filled with nitrogen.[84] Nitschke developed a process in which patients lose consciousness immediately and die a few minutes later.

Nitschke said: "So it's extremely quick and there are no drugs. Importantly this doesn't fail – it's reliable, peaceful, available and with the additional benefit of undetectability."[85]

Barbiturate testing kit edit

In 2009 Nitschke made a barbiturate testing kit available, initially launched in the UK,[86] then Australia.[87] Nitschke said the kit was made available by Exit International in response to growing demand for something to test the Nembutal obtained from Mexico, often delivered in the post without labels. "They want to be sure they have the right concentration," Nitschke said. The kits have chemicals that change colour when mixed with Nembutal. He was detained for an hour for questioning on arrival at Auckland Airport in New Zealand on a trip to hold public meetings and launch the kit.[88]

Pentobarbital long-storage pill edit

In October 2009 Nitschke announced his intention to inform people at his workshops where to obtain a long-storage form of sodium pentobarbital (Nembutal) that manufacturers say can be stored for up to fifty years without degrading.[89] Liquid forms of pentobarbital degrade within a few years, while the solid form (a white, crystalline powder) does not. Nitschke intends to advise people on how to reconstitute the pill into liquid form for ingestion if and when it ever becomes appropriate. He said that he sees it as a way of keeping people accurately informed and allowing them to make viable choices. The provision of this information would be consistent with good medical care, in his view.[89]

Nitrogen canisters edit

Further information: Suicide bag

In 2012 Nitschke started a beer-brewing company (Max Dog Brewing) for the purpose of importing nitrogen canisters. Nitschke stated that the gas cylinders can be used for both brewing and, if required, to end life at a later stage in a "peaceful, reliable [and] totally legal" manner.[90] Nitschke said, "[nitrogen] was undetectable even by autopsy, which was important to some people".[91]

An Australian anti-euthanasia campaigner complained to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) about the canisters.[92] AHPRA has undertaken to investigate. The investigation is not complete.[93]

Following a 2013 workshop showcasing Nitschke's nitrogen gas product, the AMA's WA branch president and general practitioner,[94] Richard Choong, said that he was strongly opposed to it, regardless of its technical legality, since "any machine that can help you kill yourself can be abused, misused and maliciously used".[95] Nitschke responded that without such information most elderly people who want to end their lives hang themselves, which is "an embarrassment and shame".[96]

In 2014 Australians Valerie Seeger and Claire Parsons used the Max Dog brewing equipment to commit suicide.[97] Police investigated but decided not to prosecute Nitschke after a two and a half year investigation.[98]

Sarco device edit

Main article: The Sarco Device

In 2017 Nitschke invented the 3D-printed suicide capsule, which he named "the Sarco".[99][100] The Sarco consists of a detachable coffin mounted on a stand containing a nitrogen canister.[99] In an article in December 2017 about the Sarco, Newsweek referred to Nitschke as "the Elon Musk of assisted suicide".[101]

Comedian edit

Nitschke began his comedy career at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2015 with his show Dicing with Dr Death. ThreeWeeks called it "engaging and highly thought-provoking".[102] He performed a newer Australian version of his show, retitled Practising without a License, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April 2016 and again in Darwin in August 2016. The Herald Sun reviewed his performance favorably: "[Nitschke] "presented his case with such measure, warm humour and intelligence that even his puns were excusable".[103]

Awards and recognition edit

  • In 1996 Nitschke received the Rainier Foundation Humanitarian Award
  • In 1998 Nitschke was recognised as the Australian Humanist of the Year by the Council of Australian Humanist Societies.
  • He is a nine-time nominee for Australian of the Year (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and twice a state finalist (2005 & 2006)[104]

Books edit

Nitschke is the author of three books:

Killing Me Softly: Voluntary Euthanasia And The Road To The Peaceful Pill edit

Published 2005. In reviewing the book, bioethicist Michael Cooke wrote "Nitschke's insight has been to recognise that assisted suicide is no longer about compassionate medicine, but about technology. Through his work on the web, he is gradually transforming voluntary euthanasia from a mere philosophy into an open-source internet enterprise."[105]

The Peaceful Pill Handbook edit

The Peaceful Pill Handbook print edition was originally published in the U.S. in 2006, written by Nitschke and partner Fiona Stewart; the eHandbook version is updated six times a year. Prohibited or at limited sale in Australia and New Zealand.[106][107][108]

In 2008 the on-line version of the handbook was launched. Called The Peaceful Pill eHandbook, it contains video clips on assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia methods such as barbiturates, over the counter drugs, gases and poisons.

  • A German edition of the print book — Die Friedliche Pille — was published in 2011 and is published also online.
  • A French edition — La Pilule Paisible — since re-titled Pilule Douce was published in June 2015 and is published also online.
  • An Italian edition – La Pillola della Quiete was published in online format in 2017
  • A Dutch edition – Handboek De Vredige Pil was published in print and online formats in 2018.

Damned If I Do edit

An autobiography (with Peter Corris); published by Melbourne University Press in 2013.[7] Nitschke's personal story from his early days, to his activist student days in Adelaide, to working with Aboriginal land rights groups in Australia's Far North; to his successful campaign to have euthanasia legalised in Australia

Film and television edit

Mademoiselle & the Doctor edit

A 2004 documentary film, Mademoiselle and the Doctor,[109] focused on the quest of a retired Perth professor, Lisette Nigot, a healthy 79-year-old, to seek a successful method of voluntary euthanasia. She sought advice from Nitschke. Nigot took an overdose of medication which she had bought in the United States and died, not long before her 80th birthday.[110] In a note to Nitschke thanking him for his support, she described him as a crusader working for a worthwhile humane cause. "After 80 years of a good life, I have [had] enough of it", she wrote, "I want to stop it before it gets bad."[110]

35 Letters edit

In 2014 Nitschke featured in the documentary 35 Letters about Australian woman Angelique Flowers.[111] Angelique was a young member of Exit International. She was 30 years old when she died of bowel cancer. The film premiered at the Sydney Film Festival in 2014 where it won the Australian Foundation Award.

Dignified Departure edit

In 2009 Nitschke helped to promote Dignified Departure, a 13-hour, pay-television program on doctor-assisted suicide in Hong Kong and mainland China.[112] The program aired in October in China on the Family Health channel, run by the official China National Radio.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "NITSCHKE, Philip Haig - The University of Sydney". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Australian Man First in World To Die With Legal Euthanasia". New York Times. 26 September 1996. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  3. ^ Billias, Maria (28 November 2015). "'Doctor Death' goes to blazes". NT News. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  4. ^ Goodkind, Nicole (1 December 2017). "Meet the Elon Musk of assisted suicide, whose machine lets you kill yourself anywhere". Newsweek. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  5. ^ "A design for death: meeting the bad boy of the euthanasia movement". The Economist. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Philip Nitschke Independent for Menzies" (PDF). Exit International. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  7. ^ a b c "Between life and death". The Age. Melbourne. 31 August 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  8. ^ Nitschke, Philip (2013). Dammed if I do. Carlton: Melbourne University Press.
  9. ^ "Euthanasia machine, Australia, 1995-1996". www.sciencemuseum.org.uk. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  10. ^ Carr, Adam. "Commonwealth Of Australia Legislative Election Of 2 March 1996". Psephos. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Radio National Breakfast – 27 May 2002 – Nancy Crick's Cancer". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 11 October 2009.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Spotlight shifted onto Crick doctor". www.smh.com.au. 30 May 2002. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
  13. ^ a b Paget, Dale (8 June 2004). "Crick had no cancer: report – National – www.theage.com.au". Melbourne: theage.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
  14. ^ "NZ offered Mexican Suicide Drug Trip". The Age. Melbourne. 6 February 2007. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2007.
  15. ^ "InternationalTaskForce.org – Update – 2000, Number 2". www.internationaltaskforce.org. Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  16. ^ "Election results for the seat of Menzies (Australian Electoral Commission)". 26 November 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  17. ^ "'Dr. Death' Nitschke Sells Euthanasia to China Before TV Show - Bloomberg.com". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  18. ^ Hiini, Robert (23 July 2014). "Curb adventurist stance on euthanasia". Catholic Weekly. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  19. ^ Russell, Paul (21 July 2014). "Looking for the foot in the door: euphemisms in euthanasia & assisted suicide debate". National Right to Life. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  20. ^ "Kennett says Nitschke has damaged the cause". Sky News. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  21. ^ Hermant, Norman (24 July 2014). "Euthanasia debate, Doctor assisted death advocate Rodney Syme attacks 'maverick' Nitschke after revelations". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  22. ^ a b "Nigel Brayley's wife defends her husband against accusations of foul play in Lina Brayley's death". News Corp. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  23. ^ Caitlyn Gribbin and Madeleine Morris. "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke hits back after medical board suspension". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  24. ^ "Dr Philip Nitschke suspended from practice over allegations he helped Perth man Nigel Brayley commit suicide". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  25. ^ Paige Taylor. "Philip Nitschke linked to wife-killer Nigel Brayley". The Australian. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  26. ^ "Euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke may be suspended". SMH. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  27. ^ a b "Medical board wants Nitschke struck off". Herald Sun. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  28. ^ "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke hits out at 'midnight assassination'". 7 News. Retrieved 24 July 2014.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ Hagan, Kate (5 July 2014). "Jeff Kennett slams Philip Nitschke for helping man without a terminal illness to die". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  30. ^ "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke suspended by the Australian Medical Board". ABC News. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  31. ^ Karlis Salna. "Euthanasia campaigner Nitschke will appeal". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  32. ^ Julia Medew. "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke banned from practising medicine". SMH. Archived from the original on 30 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  33. ^ "Nitschke's Appeal to the NT Health Professional Review Tribunal" (PDF). AMA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  34. ^ a b Davidson, Helen; Darwin, Helen Davidsonin (7 January 2015). "Philip Nitschke heads to supreme court to fight for his medical licence". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  35. ^ Gribbin, Caitlyn (6 January 2015). "Philip Nitschke fails to overturn suspension from practising medicine". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  36. ^ "Philip Nitschke wins appeal over medical licence suspension". The Guardian. 6 July 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  37. ^ "Philip Nitschke wins back medical licence". The Australian. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  38. ^ "Justice overturns Nitschke's suspension". NT News. 6 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  39. ^ a b "Philip Nitschke burns medical certificate and says he will promote euthanasia". The Guardian. 28 November 2015. Archived from the original on 28 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  40. ^ "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke sets medical certificate alight, rejects Medical Board". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 November 2015. Archived from the original on 28 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  41. ^ "Euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke sets medical licence alight". Sydney Morning Herald. 27 November 2015. Archived from the original on 30 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  42. ^ "e-Deliverance Newsletter Sep-Nov 2016" (PDF). Exit International. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  43. ^ "NZ police detain Dr Philip Nitschke". The Age. 30 January 2008. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  44. ^ "Euthenasia group raided over suicide". The Australian. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  45. ^ "Police seize Philip Nitschke items". The Courier-Mail. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  46. ^ "The World Today – Exit members threatened by raids: Nitschke 13/11/2009". www.abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  47. ^ "WA Police search homes of Exit International group members for euthanasia drug Nembutal". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  48. ^ a b "BBC NEWS – Euthanasia doctor held at airport". news.bbc.co.uk. 2 May 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  49. ^ "Welcome Dr Death, says 'spokesman' for elderly". The Christian Institute. 15 May 2009. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  50. ^ "Voluntary Euthanasia Party's Max Bromson dies in Adelaide motel room after taking Nembutal". ABC News. ABC. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  51. ^ a b "Philip Nitschke's phone seized by police investigating terminally ill man's death". The Guardian. August 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  52. ^ Crouch, Brad (31 July 2016). "Two-year investigation into Max Bromson's voluntary euthanasia shows no sign of ending". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  53. ^ Crouch, Brad (2 August 2016). "SA Police will lay no charges against Philip Nitschke over suicide of cancer sufferer Max Bromson in Glenelg motel room". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  54. ^ "Euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke to get his phone back, five years after police raid on Gilberton clinic". The Advertiser (Adelaide). 15 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  55. ^ Oberhaus, Daniel (22 April 2016). "Philip Nitschke, the man who thinks we should all choose when to die". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  56. ^ a b "Rise of the DIY Death Machines". Vice. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  57. ^ "Euthanasia campaigner". Exeter Express and Echo. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.[permanent dead link]
  58. ^ "Retired Exeter professor dies in her home four days after police visit to check her welfare". Exeter Express and Echo. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.[permanent dead link]
  59. ^ "Tweed Exit member's late-night police questioning". Echonetdaily. 29 May 2018. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  60. ^ a b "Wellington woman Annemarie Treadwell's death trigger for Police euthanasia furore". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  61. ^ "Letters from dead friend seized during controversial police euthanasia crackdown". Stuff.co.nz. 1 November 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  62. ^ a b "The New Zealand KGB?". The Gisborne Herald. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  63. ^ "Police seize voluntary euthanasia advocate's helium balloon kit". Stuff.co.nz. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  64. ^ "The Press Association: 'Dr Death' to show DIY suicide kit". Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  65. ^ Saffron Howden (July 2009). "His choice to live or die". Lismore Northern Star. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  66. ^ "Give all elderly the right to die – Nitschke". News Corp. 8 July 2009. Archived from the original on 9 July 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  67. ^ "News Package Euthanasia". 4ZZZ Brisbane FM. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  68. ^ a b "Does the freedom to die enhance lives?". Irish Medical Times. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
  69. ^ Medew, Julia. (15 February 2010). "Young people gain access to euthanasia drug Archived 7 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  70. ^ Medew, Julia. (15 February 2010). "The Death Trap Archived 18 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine". The Age. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  71. ^ Gribbin, Caitlyn; Owens, Dale. (3 July 2014). "Euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke criticised over support for 45-year-old who committed suicide Archived 3 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Accessed 3 July 2014.
  72. ^ Stephanie Chalkley-Rhoden (25 July 2014). "Exit International forum coached young man to his death, mother claims". ABC News. ABC. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  73. ^ a b "Australia's Dr Death fights for condemned killer in US". Australian Associated Press. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  74. ^ Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas (23 January 2024). "Alabama Is Trying Nitrogen Hypoxia, an Untested Execution Method". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  75. ^ Duffy, Michael (22 May 2009). "Web filtering pulls plug on euthanasia debate". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  76. ^ Moses, Asher (16 December 2009). "Big Brother laws to be brought in for web". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 17 December 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
  77. ^ a b Bennett, Cortlan (4 April 2010). "Euthanasia workshops 'to fight filter'". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 April 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  78. ^ Jacobsen, Geesche (6 April 2010). "Elderly learn to beat euthanasia firewall". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
  79. ^ Perreaux, Les (27 September 2010). "Ad campaign for assisted suicide banned from Canadian airwaves – The Globe and Mail". Toronto: theglobeandmail.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  80. ^ a b c Rose, Danny (15 September 2010). "Another blow for euthanasia campaign". smh.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  81. ^ "Euthanasia billboard approved". smh.com.au. 4 October 2010. Archived from the original on 22 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  82. ^ "Nitschke launches suicide machine – smh.com.au". www.smh.com.au. 3 December 2002. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  83. ^ Wheatley, Kim (17 December 2008). "AdelaideNow... Dr Philip Nitschke launches 'flawless' euthanasia device". www.news.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
  84. ^ Wheatley, Kim (18 December 2008). "Doctor Philip Nitschke to launch 'undetectable' death machine". Archived 19 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Australian.
  85. ^ Doward, Jamie (29 March 2009). "'Dr Death' sells euthanasia kits in UK for £35". London: guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  86. ^ "Nitschke unveils new euthanasia aid". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  87. ^ "Nitschke held over drug kits in NZ". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  88. ^ a b "Nitschke to promote illegal pill – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". www.abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  89. ^ Sexton, Mike (18 December 2012). "Euthanasia campaigner under scrutiny". ABC. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  90. ^ Orr, Aleisha (3 May 2013). "Euthanasia group to show West Aussies how to die 'well'". WAToday. Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  91. ^ Shanahan, Dennis (31 August 2012). "Euthanasia expert Philip Nitschke accused of gas import scam". The Australian. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  92. ^ "'Dr Death' to fight nitrogen complaint". Nine News. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  93. ^ Courtney Trenwith (7 June 2012). "'Horrendous, hidden' waiting list new priority for AMA WA". Fairfax. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  94. ^ "AMA outraged over euthanasia device". ABC. 5 May 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  95. ^ "Outrage over euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke and killing machine". The Australian. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  96. ^ "Finding Without Inquest into the Death of Valerie June Seeger" (PDF). 9 February 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  97. ^ Hore, Monique; Deere, Shannon (23 October 2016). "'Dr Death' Philip Nitschke cleared over the deaths of Valerie Seeger and Claire Parsons". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  98. ^ a b "Nitschke's 'suicide machine' draws crowds at Amsterdam funeral fair". The Guardian. 15 April 2018. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  99. ^ Overington, Caroline (25 November 2017). "Philip Nitschke invents suicide capsule with 3D printer". The Australian. News Corporation. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  100. ^ "Meet The Elon Musk Of Assisted Suicide, Whose Machine Lets You Kill Yourself Anywhere". Newsweek. 12 January 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  101. ^ "Dicing With Dr Death (Dr Philip Nitschke)". ThreeWeeks. 17 August 2015. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  102. ^ "Philip Nitschke in Dicing with Dr Death". Herald Sun. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  103. ^ "Philip Nitschke". The Peaceful Pill Handbook. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  104. ^ "Killing me softly with his song". Mercatornet. 12 January 2006. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  105. ^ "The Peaceful Pill Handbook Refused Classification upon review" (PDF). Classification Review Board. 24 February 2007. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2007.
  106. ^ "The Peaceful Pill Handbook Banned". OFLC. 10 June 2007. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  107. ^ Office of Film & Literature Classification Archived 4 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine decision
  108. ^ "Mademoiselle and the Doctor". Australian Screen. 2004. Archived from the original on 11 October 2009.
  109. ^ a b "Healthy woman thanks Dr Nitschke, then kills herself – smh.com.au". www.smh.com.au. 26 November 2002. Archived from the original on 8 July 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
  110. ^ "35 Letters". Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  111. ^ "'Dr. Death' Nitschke Sells Euthanasia to China Before TV Show". 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.

External links edit

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Philip_Nitschke&oldid=1217065864"