1905-1906 – Bills to Legalize Euthanasia Are Defeated in Ohio

“By the turn of the century, medical science had made great strides. As physicians who used the modern scientific method and modern principles of pharmacology consolidated their control over university and medical school training, the euthanasia debate entered the lay press and political forums. In 1905-1906, a bill to legalize euthanasia was defeated in the Ohio legislature by a vote of 79 to 23. In 1906, a similar initiative that would legalize euthanasia not only for terminal adults, but also for ‘hideously deformed or idiotic children’ was introduced and defeated as well. After 1906, the public interest in euthanasia receded.”