[Cancer and Society] Good Life, Good Death

Derek Humphry used a cocktail of codeine and secobarbital to end his wife's life. The cancer had spread from her breast into her bones and organs. Jean Humphry had reached a stage at which the merest movement threatened to snap a wrist or a couple of ribs. She did not want to live like that. Her family knew what she wanted her husband to do. When the moment came, Jean asked Derek "is this the day?" The drugs were ready, obtained in advance from a sympathetic doctor. If the authorities were to uncover the identity of the anonymous physician, they could charge both him and Derek under section 2 of the Assisted Suicide Act (1961).

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