"Pillow Angel" Ashley's Surgeon Commits Suicide

No matter what you think about the controversy and the ugly debate surrounding Ashley's case, this is still stunning, tragic news...and very sad.

Doctor at center of stunting debate kills himself

Daniel Gunther helped parents of disabled girl keep her small
By Linda Dahlstrom
SEATTLE - The doctor at the center of a controversial procedure which stunted the growth of a severely disabled girl has committed suicide.

I woke this morning and read the terrible news that Dr. Daniel Gunther committed suicide on September 30.

There are no sufficient words for grief, and no words for the mystery of human suffering.  The goal of medicine and indeed, the wish behind all the arts and sciences is to advance the quality of life.  I choose to believe that Dr. Gunther stood for this very principle, despite the fact that I adamantly disagree with his decision to proceed with the "Ashley Treatment". 

I would also like to believe that the surgical procedure he performed on "Ashley" was, in his mind anyway,  conceived as a means of alleviating human suffering.  I believe that the surgical procedure was risky and that it was conducted in a most controversial manner, however, controversy can be good for social progress and disagreement is often productive in a free society.  That being said, I always feel that the death of someone, particularly by suicide, diminishes us all.  I grieve for his family and friends.

SK

Comments

[Kay]

Thanks for finding a way to say what I had no ability to articulate but have been thinking all day.

[stan stanley]

My heart goes out to the doctors family, what were the parents thinking