SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — As a woman nears her death, she’s asking for help to end her life so she can donate her organs.
Sixteen years ago this week, Sherri Muzher was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that has now left her bedridden and struggling to speak. The law school graduate and writer can no longer use her skills she once thrived on, but she believes she can still help others.
“It would be a nice legacy to give life,” Muzher said, “We’re all here on earth to make a difference.”
“Her motivations seem to be very heartfelt. She wants to both control her own destiny and also to help other people, and I think that’s a very compelling story to tell,” said Wayne State University law professor Lance Gable.
Sherri’s request could potentially reignite the political and legal battle regarding assisted suicide, which was a ‘front and center’ issue back in the 1990′s when Dr. Jack Kevorkian took the ethical issue head on.
“It think that it’s possible, but it’s something that in Michigan in particular is going to be very controversial given our history with Dr. Kevorkian,” says Gable.
Right now, only four states allow physician assisted suicide, and none of them allow assisted suicide to harvest organs.
Muzher said she’s not asking for pity, just another option.
“We ought to be able to make our own decisions, and if that collateral effect means helping others, why would anyone have a problem with that?” she said.
