Author Archives: Matthew Eppinette

A Sad Anniversary

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

Today, sadly, marks one year since physician-assisted suicide became legal in California. Perhaps this weekend you might want to watch (or re-watch) the documentary short film I helped make about the true impact of this law, Compassion and Choice DENIED. … Continue reading →

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Bioethics at the Oscars

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, the big news coming out of the Academy Awards last night is the mixup regarding the Best Picture winner. Even without that, though, you probably wouldn’t have heard much about a nominated film … Continue reading →

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Update: D.C. Assisted Suicide Law

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

Update to the update: the law has gone into effect. The House did not vote on the measure to block it, and the Senate version never left committee (both chambers would have needed to vote to block the bill by … Continue reading →

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Developing: Congressional Committee Moves to Block D.C. Assisted Suicide Law

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

The Washington Post reports that a House committee has voted to block Washington, D.C.’s assisted suicide law from going into effect. In order for the law to be blocked completely, however, the full House and Senate will have to vote, and … Continue reading →

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We are Most Certainly Not Being Careful

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

The New York Times recently ran an article on ways in which various technologies are being developed and tested with senior adults. The article talks about how aging can be isolating and lonely, and the fact that a shortage of caregivers … Continue reading →

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Breaking News: “Scientists create a part-human, part-pig embryo”

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

The Washington Post is reporting that scientists have for the first time created an embryo that is part human and part pig. The long-term goal is to provide organs for transplant, given that the need for organs always runs well … Continue reading →

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To Be Human can be Really Hard

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

Last week I wrote about the Massachusetts Medical Society’s plans to survey their members, part of which involved a debate over the terms medical aid in dying” vs. “physician-assisted suicide.” As part of that discussion, one Massachusetts physician emphasized the … Continue reading →

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Let’s Call it What it Is

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

The Boston Globe reports that the Massachusetts Medical Society is planning to conduct a survey of its 25,000 members in order to determine their perspectives on either “medical aid in dying” or “physician-assisted suicide.” Deciding what to call it seems … Continue reading →

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We Don’t Yet Fully Understand all of the Implications

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

NPR recently ran an article on the latest developments in the area of “three-parent embryos.” Such embryos are being created in an effort to help those who carry a genetic defect in their mitochondrial DNA. The article is a long … Continue reading →

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Physician-Assisted Death Destroys Medical Ethics

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Matthew Eppinette

The editor-in-chief of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Lawrence Huntoon, M.D., Ph.D., addresses physician assisted suicide in the winter edition of the journal. His goal is to encourage physicians and the medical associations of which they are a … Continue reading →

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