'It's Over, Debbie' and the Euthanasia Debate

Abstract

The apparent act of mercy killing described in It's Over, Debbie in the A PIECE OF MY MIND column in the Jan 8,1988, issue of JAMA 1 stimulated substantial reaction from the medical profession, the public, the media, and legal authorities. At press time, we have received more than 150 letters. Eighteen examples are published in this issue, 2 as are two representative commentaries. 3,4 Most of the early letters were from physicians and tallied about 4:1 against the action the physician described and 3:1 againstThe JOURNALfor publishing the essay. Reactions from the public and media were delayed but were extraordinary in volume and duration. Purpose and Process of Publication We published It's Over, Debbie to provoke responsible debate within the medical profession and by the public about euthanasia in the United States in 1988. 5 We believe that JAMA is the right place for issues in American