Marc Girod dies by euthanasia on 44th birthday after ALS
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 1
Marc Girod dies by euthanasia on 44th birthday after ALS
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 1
The former Google employee, who lived in Sydney and grew up in France, died on 20 April after deciding a month earlier as his voice, swallowing and breathing worsened.
Diagnosed at 41 in April 2024 after first symptoms in late 2023, Girod said he chose euthanasia because he did not want to rely on a breathing machine.
Before his death, he took a year-long world tour funded partly by insurance, then spent his final weeks saying goodbye to loved ones and hosting a farewell party.
Could advances in ALS treatments soon challenge the ethical and legal boundaries of euthanasia for patients like Marc Girod?
What emotional and practical preparations do terminally ill individuals and their families make when planning for euthanasia, and how do they navigate conflicting beliefs?
How do different countries ensure that euthanasia is a voluntary, well-considered choice rather than a result of social or economic pressures?