California euthanasia law goes into effect

California’s End of Life Option Act goes into effect today, giving physicians permission to prescribe lethal drugs to terminally ill patients. At least one doctor is ready to take patients in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lonny Shavelson, a longtime advocate for euthanasia, opened a center today focusing only on patients who want to end their own lives. According to local media, it may be the only center like it in the state. Under the new law, patients must be certified by two physicians as terminally ill and cannot be expected to live more than six months. They must be able without assistance to take the fatal prescription obtained from a doctor. California is the fifth state to approve similar so-called “right to die” legislation.