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November 18, 2012 12:00 PM

The hidden world of assisted suicide

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Joan Butterstein and Kathleen Butterstein — Joan Butterstein (left), terminally ill and contemplating suicide, shown with her daughter Kathleen (right). They were part of Frontline's "The Suicide Plan," which aired November 13, 2012 on PBS.
Courtesy Frontline

Physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill is currently legal in Oregon and Washington. But for the terminally ill elsewhere in America who want to end their life, going underground for guidance and information is the only option.

Frontline explored this hidden world in "The Suicide Plan." Assisted suicide is one of the most polarizing social issues of our time, and Massachusetts recently rejected a ballot initiative that would have legalized physician-assisted suicide.

Karen O'Connor, co-producer, director and writer of "The Suicide Plan," will join The Daily Circuit Monday to discuss the controversial topic. Susan M. Wolf, professor of law, medicine and public policy, and faculty member at the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota, will also join the discussion.

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VIDEO: The Frontline piece on assisted suicide:

Watch The Suicide Plan on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

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Joan Butterstein and her daughter Kathleen — Joan Butterstein (left), terminally ill and contemplating suicide, shown with her daughter Kathleen (right). They were part of Frontline's "The Suicide Plan," which aired November 13, 2012 on PBS.
Courtesy Frontline

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