由两个瑞士协助死亡组织协助的自杀行为。

Suicide assisted by two Swiss right-to-die organisations.

作者信息

Fischer S, Huber C A, Imhof L, Mahrer Imhof R, Furter M, Ziegler S J, Bosshard G

机构信息

Center for Health Sciences, School of Health Professions, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, PO Box, CH-8401 Winterthur, Switzerland.

出版信息

J Med Ethics. 2008 Nov;34(11):810-4. doi: 10.1136/jme.2007.023887.

DOI:10.1136/jme.2007.023887

PMID:18974416

Abstract

BACKGROUND

In Switzerland, non-medical right-to-die organisations such as Exit Deutsche Schweiz and Dignitas offer suicide assistance to members suffering from incurable diseases.

OBJECTIVES

First, to determine whether differences exist between the members who received assistance in suicide from Exit Deutsche Schweiz and Dignitas. Second, to investigate whether the practices of Exit Deutsche Schweiz have changed since the 1990s.

METHODS

This study analysed all cases of assisted suicide facilitated by Exit Deutsche Schweiz (E) and Dignitas (D) between 2001 and 2004 and investigated by the University of Zurich's Institute of Legal Medicine (E: n = 147; D: n = 274, total: 421). Furthermore, data from the Exit Deutsche Schweiz study which investigated all cases of assisted suicide during the period 1990-2000 (n = 149) were compared with the data of the present study.

RESULTS

More women than men were assisted in both organisations (D: 64%; E: 65%). Dignitas provided more assistance to non-residents (D: 91%; E: 3%; p = 0.000), younger persons (mean age in years (SD): D: 64.5 (14.1); E: 76.6 (13.3); p = 0.001), and people suffering from fatal diseases such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (D: 79%; E: 67%; p = 0.013). Lethal medications were more often taken orally in cases assisted by Dignitas (D: 91%; E: 76%; p = 0.000). The number of women and the proportion of older people suffering from non-fatal diseases among suicides assisted by Exit Deutsche Schweiz has increased since the 1990s (women: 52% to 65%, p = 0.031; mean age in years (SD): 69.3 (17.0) to 76.9 (13.3), p = 0.000), non-fatal diseases: 22% to 34%, p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Weariness of life rather than a fatal or hopeless medical condition may be a more common reason for older members of Exit Deutsche Schweiz to commit suicide. The strong over-representation of women in both Exit Deutsche Schweiz and Dignitas suicides is an important phenomenon so far largely overlooked and in need of further study.

摘要

背景

在瑞士，诸如“瑞士德语区解脱组织”和“尊严死组织”等非医疗性质的安乐死组织会为身患绝症的成员提供自杀协助。

目的

其一，确定从“瑞士德语区解脱组织”和“尊严死组织”获得自杀协助的成员之间是否存在差异。其二，调查“瑞士德语区解脱组织”的做法自20世纪90年代以来是否有所改变。

方法

本研究分析了2001年至2004年间由“瑞士德语区解脱组织”（E）和“尊严死组织”（D）协助实施的所有安乐死案例，并由苏黎世大学法医学研究所进行调查（E：n = 147；D：n = 274，总计：421）。此外，将“瑞士德语区解脱组织”研究中调查的1990 - 2000年期间所有安乐死案例的数据（n = 149）与本研究的数据进行了比较。

结果

两个组织中接受协助的女性均多于男性（D：64%；E：65%）。“尊严死组织”为非本国居民（D：91%；E：3%；p = 0.000）、年轻人（平均年龄（标准差）：D：64.5（14.1）；E：76.6（13.3）；p = 0.001）以及患有致命疾病如多发性硬化症和肌萎缩侧索硬化症的人提供了更多协助（D：79%；E：67%；p = 0.013）。在“尊严死组织”协助的案例中，致命药物更常通过口服方式服用（D：91%；E：76%；p = 0.000）。自20世纪90年代以来，“瑞士德语区解脱组织”协助自杀案例中的女性数量以及患有非致命疾病的老年人比例有所增加（女性：52%至65%，p = 0.031；平均年龄（标准差）：69.3（17.0）至76.9（13.3），p = 0.000；非致命疾病：22%至34%，p = 0.026）。