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Assisted Lab

@assistedlab.bsky.social

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ERC project on #aesthetics #law & #ethics of assisted dying. To participate in our archive on films, texts, & other media that influence debates around assisted dying 👉 https://assistedlab.ch/

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Reposted by Assisted Lab

Internazionale @internazionale.it · 9d

"Non penso che un libro finisca quando lo scrittore lo finisce: continua a scriversi nel modo in cui le persone ne parlano, in cui i suoi temi alimentano i dibattiti culturali e sociali".⁠ Leggi la conversazione tra Elif Shafak e Lea Ypi: intern.az/1ObD

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · 1d

TV series ‘Truelove’ by Charlie Covell, a police thriller featuring assisted dying, is a good example of increasing sustained attention being paid to the topic in cultural outputs in the UK.

For an analysis by Joe Wood 👇

assistedlab.ch/visual/truel...

'Truelove' by Charlie Covell and Ian Weatherby

In the complex drama that emerges assisted dying is used both to explore moral issues and as a plot device in a police thriller.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · 6d

Gina Montaner, a well-known journalist, recounts how her father sought an assisted death in her memoir 'Deséenme un buen viaje', a personal account of the intricacies of the new Spanish euthanasia law.

For an analysis of the book's impact by @pittella.bsky.social see

assistedlab.ch/textual/dese...

'Deséenme un buen viaje' by Gina Montaner

The memoir recounts Carlos Montaner's fight for democratization in Cuba and for the right to access legal euthanasia in Spain.

Reposted by Assisted Lab

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 7d

Dr. Balfour Mount, who coined the term "palliative care" and whose profound empathy helped revolutionize health-care in North America, died peacefully at the palliative care unit that bears his name. He was 86. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... via @cbcnews.ca

Balfour Mount, who revolutionized end-of-life care, died at palliative unit named in his honour | CBC News

Mount devoted his life to caring for others and alleviating suffering. In interviews, his family and colleagues remembered him as both deeply compassionate and as a fierce advocate for the humanity of...

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · 17d

'TI SI WHAT TI SI', Paola Roldán's memoir about living with ALS, influenced the legalization of euthanasia in Ecuador in 2024.

For an analysis of the book's role in law-making by @pittella.bsky.social see

assistedlab.ch/textual/ti-s...

'TI SI WHAT TI SI' by Paola Roldán

Narrating her journey of self-discovery and of living with ALS, Roldán's spiritual memoir helped promote her plea for self-determination in Ecuador.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · 19d

The documentary ‘Levenseindekliniek’ features the Dutch End-of-Life Clinic dealing with complex euthanasia requests. Its reception highlights how culture influences politics, as 2 members of parliament asked the Minister of Health about questions it raises. 👇

assistedlab.ch/visual/leven...

'Levenseindekliniek' by Marcel Ouddeken, Hans Kema

The documentary ‘Levenseindekliniek’ revolves around the Dutch End-of-Life Clinic, an organization that deals with patients whose euthanasia requests are complex. The film follows three patients who r...

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · 27d

Based on Marc's analysis of the film Life After, by Reid Davenport, which uses the story of Elizabeth Bouvia to show how decisions around assisted death are complicated by ableism & a lack of access to care for people with disabilities

assistedlab.ch/visual/life-...

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · 27d

New article from @marcakeller.bsky.social in @woz.ch on the ethics of self-determination in life and death

www.woz.ch/2537/ethik/s...

Ethik: Selbstbestimmt bis zuletzt – im Sterben wie im Leben

In der Debatte um Sterbehilfe geht es meist um Autonomie und Freiheit. Doch was ist mit jenen, die im Leben nicht genug Unterstützung für ein lebenswertes Dasein erhalten?

Reposted by Assisted Lab

Marc Keller @marcakeller.bsky.social · 28d

Unter dem Banner der Autonomie wächst die Forderung nach Sterbehilfe für Menschen, die nicht schwerkrank sind. Zwei Dokumentarfilme zeigen die Kehrseite: Für Menschen mit Behinderung ist sie mitunter kein Ausdruck von Wahlfreiheit, sondern Folge fehlender Unterstützung. Mein Text dazu in der @woz.ch

Ethik: Selbstbestimmt bis zuletzt – im Sterben wie im Leben

In der Debatte um Sterbehilfe geht es meist um Autonomie und Freiheit. Doch was ist mit jenen, die im Leben nicht genug Unterstützung für ein lebenswertes Dasein erhalten?

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Sep 2

The hindi drama film ‘October’ directed by Shoojit Sircar subtly broaches the topic of passive euthanasia, and ultimately affirms conventional beliefs in India about the sacredness of life.

Analysis by Faiz Elahi for Assisted Lab 👇

assistedlab.ch/visual/october

'October' by Shoojit Sircar

‘October’ subtly broaches the topic of passive euthanasia, and ultimately affirms conventional beliefs held in India about the sacredness of life.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Aug 14

The assisted suicide regime in Switzerland is often seen as model. This book, 'Die Glückssucherin’, by Margrit Schäppi and Matthias Ackeret is at times sharply critical of Swiss assisted suicide practices.

Analysis by @marcakeller.bsky.social

assistedlab.ch/textual/die-...

'Die Glückssucherin. Warum Margrit Schäppi einen Lebensratgeber schrieb und trotzdem den Freitod wählte' by Margrit Schäppi and Matthias Ackeret

Before publication, Margrit Schäppi took her life with the aid of a Swiss assisted suicide organisation.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Aug 8

Publishing a new entry on Dying: A Memoir which explores author Cory Taylor's wish, illegal in Australia at the time, that she could have an assisted death. The book went on to be cited in public hearings on end-of-life care.

By Joe Wood

assistedlab.ch/textual/dyin...

'Dying: A Memoir' by Cory Taylor

Written as Cory Taylor was dying, this memoir explores her wish, illegal in Australia at the time, that she could have an assisted death with her family present.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 30

In Portuguese, ‘Justiça’, a TV series that reignited the debate on assisted death in Brazil, where the practice is illegal.

By @pittella.bsky.social

assistedlab.ch/visual/justica

'Justiça' by Manuela Dias

Maurício spends 7 years in jail for assisting in the death of Beatriz, a dancer who didn't want to live after a hit-and-run left her tetraplegic.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 30

In Hindi, ‘Guzaarish’, a Bollywood film about Ethan Mascarenhas, a quadriplegic radio jockey who faces legal and public pushback after petitioning for state-sanctioned euthanasia.

By Faiz Elahi

assistedlab.ch/visual/guzaa...

Guzaarish by Sanjay Leela Bhansaali

‘Guzaarish’ is a Bollywood film about Ethan Mascarenhas, a quadriplegic radio jockey who faces legal and public pushback after petitioning for state-sanctioned euthanasia.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 30

In English, ‘A Good Way to Die’, a documentary following the stories of 4 people who would like the option to end their lives on their own terms in Aotearoa/New Zealand, produced when assisted dying was illegal.

By Joe Wood

assistedlab.ch/visual/a-goo...

'A Good Way to Die?' by Tash Christie and Dan Salmon

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 30

Publishing 4 new entries on visual representations of assisted dying for summer watching 🧵

In Dutch, Zondag gaat het gebeuren, an award-winning documentary that follows Carl Ridders, a 50-year-old Dutch-Belgian actor with ALS in his final months

By Sophia H. Rüfer

assistedlab.ch/visual/zonda...

'Zondag gaat het gebeuren' by Joeri Vlekken

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 14

In Portuguese, 'O último abraço' by Vitor Hugo Brandalise, a book-length reconstruction of a shocking true story in Brazil in which a man hugged his suffering wife and placed a homemade bomb between them, which killed her and hurt him. 4/4

By @pittella.bsky.social 👇

assistedlab.ch/textual/o-ul...

'O último abraço' by Vitor Hugo Brandalise

This book-length report recreates the case of Nelson Golla, who assisted in the death of his wife Neusa by placing a homemade bomb between them.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 14

In German 'Ein Mann seiner Zeit' by Roswitha Quadflieg, a novel about a man who, in his mid-70s & using a wheelchair, records his life story & advocates for the right to die. It was praised by advocacy groups in Germany and Switzerland. 3/4

By Marc Keller 👇

assistedlab.ch/textual/ein-...

'Ein Mann seiner Zeit' by Roswitha Quadflieg

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 14

In English, a memoir by Matt Vickers, who fought with his wife in the Aotearoa/New Zealand High Court to allow her to choose when to die. Her case was rejected, but Lecretia Seales’s story influenced subsequent legalisation in the country. 2/4

By Joe Wood👇

assistedlab.ch/textual/lecr...

Lecretia's Choice by Matt Vickers, an analysis by Joe Wood

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 14

Interested in summer reading about assisted dying? See these books & new analyses by Assisted Lab 🧵

In Dutch 'Winter in Gloster Huis' by Vonne van der Meer, a novel in the Netherlands, discussing completed life & existential suffering. 1/4

By Wouter Schrover 👇

assistedlab.ch/textual/wint...

'Winter in Gloster Huis' by Vonne van der Meer

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 3

pls share @profstevenwilson.bsky.social @benbgdalton.bsky.social @drrenskevisser.bsky.social @zfl-berlin.bsky.social @samiahurst.bsky.social @veriwil.bsky.social @literarti.bsky.social @oxmedhum.bsky.social @totomcgee.bsky.social @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @asmedhum.bsky.social 🙏

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jul 3

Amazing - many congrats, this will be a great volume!

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jun 24

Assisted Lab is hiring - please share widely!

We are inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position (100%) as part of the ERC/SERI Assisted Lab team at University of St. Gallen, starting September 2025.

More information here 👇

jobs.unisg.ch/offene-stell...

HSG: PhD Position in Medical / Legal Humanities / Cultural Studies (m/f/d)

We welcome applicants with a strong academic background in law, legal humanities, socio-legal studies, film studies, media studies, cultural studies, sociology, comparative literature, or a related di...

Reposted by Assisted Lab

Carlos A. Pittella @pittella.bsky.social · Jun 17

Though set in Argentina, Sofía Almiroty’s ‘Mala carne’ was published in Spain, where assisted dying has been legal since 2021 – as opposed to Argentina, where it remains a crime.

I've written for @assistedlab.bsky.social about the novel, which is inspired by Almiroty’s own grandmother.

'Mala carne' by Sofía Almiroty

In Sofía Almiroty’s debut novel, Ariana takes her grandmother Rosa, whose skin is ravaged by cancer, to say goodbye to the town where she grew up.

Assisted Lab @assistedlab.bsky.social · Jun 16

As new data on Belgium's euthanasia trends emerge, we publish an analysis of the 2023 film 'Marieke, addicted to life' by Pola Rapaport, that sparked widespread debate.

By Wouter Schrover assistedlab.ch/visual/marie...