Do we have a 'right to die'?: Terminally-ill US woman ends life at 29

Washington, Nov 3: The suicide of a 29-year-old terminally ill US woman has sparked a wider and deeper debate about euthanasia or the 'right to die'.

The woman, Brittany Maynard, had become an advocate for patient's rights after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January. Doctors had told her then that she had a stage four malignant brain tumour and had only six months more to live.

Maynard, on Sunday, ended her life at home after taking lethal medication prescribed by a doctor.

Maynard made the tough decision not to undergo further treatment after doctors told her that they had done everything possinbe to remove the tumour.

Recently, she released a video message saying she wanted to "die with dignity" and planned to end her life on November 1, just before her 30th birthday. "My glioblastoma is going to kill me and that's out of my control," she said. "Being able to go with dignity is less terrifying", she was quoted by media.

According to a Telegraph report, in a final message posted to family and friends, Maynard wrote on Saturday: "Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness... the world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers... goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!"

Maynard had said the worst thing that could happen to her would be to wait too long and her autonomy be taken away by the disease, said the report.

After she released videos expressing her right to die, her story made headlines around the world. She was even featured on the cover of People magazine in the US. Gradually, she became the public face of the right-to-die movement.

Oneindia News