Post by elizabeth on Apr 26, 2014 0:12:11 GMT
Euthanasia Makes Inroads In Canada
April 21, 2014 | Tom Olago
Medical practice in Canada seems to be well on its way to being permitted to expand its scope of legalized murder processes from abortions, to include euthanasia as well.
Euthanasia is typically branded in socially acceptable euphemisms such as “mercy killing” and PAD [physician-assisted death]. Doctors who specialize in caring for the terminally ill argue in Canada’s leading medical journal that it’s time to move to prepare for a future where sick patients would be granted “the freedom to choose when and how they die”. This may soon become a reality if the Supreme Court of Canada rules this year that laws banning doctor-hastened death violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The National Post recently quoted Dr. James Downar, a critical care and palliative care physician at Toronto General Hospital stating in a commentary co-authored by the late palliative care pioneer Dr. Lawrence Librach: “the debate is about to become obsolete…physician-assisted death is going to become legal in Canada in the very near future by one means or another and crucial questions need to be answered, including when does suffering become “intolerable” and how long must it last before doctor-assisted death could be granted?
Would psychological or “existential” angst be grounds for seeking a lethal injection?... Our well-rehearsed debates about whether sanctity of life is more valuable than personal autonomy or whether people can experience intolerable suffering despite receiving optimal palliative care may become obsolete…We need to start discussing pressing questions now.”
Some of the key “pressing questions” include monitoring and safeguards to protect patients from being coerced into seeking doctor-assisted deaths against their will, how to protect doctors who object to helping a patient take his or her life, and how the need for clear protocols governing the entire process would be ensured.
The National Post references a recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association that suggests that a majority of Canadians are in favor of legalizing medically assisted suicide. However, the poll, completed by more than 2,000 doctors, found only 20% of MDs surveyed said they would be willing to perform euthanasia. Twice as many — 42% — said they would refuse to do so.
It is not clear to what extent these views have been influenced by the possibility that doctors could be left to operate in a “legal vacuum” similar to when prohibitions against abortion were struck down, as suggested in the Canadian Medical Association Journal commentary.
Examples of the momentum being gained by euthanasia proponents within Canada reportedly include the following developments:
• Manitoba MP Steven Fletcher, a quadriplegic, has introduced two private member’s bills allowing doctor-assisted death under certain circumstances.
• The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in October on assisted dying involving the cases of two British Columbia women.
• Quebec’s National Assembly was close to passing legislation that would legalize “medical aid in dying” before the election call.
The intended Quebec legislation (‘Bill 52’) brings out some of the salient issues under consideration with regard to euthanasia. According to a separate National Post report in February 2014, under Bill 52, in addition to being an adult and mentally fit, a patient seeking euthanasia — the bill calls it “medical aid in dying” — must suffer from an incurable serious illness and be in constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain. He must also be in an advanced state of irreversible decline and be at the end of life.
The National Post report quotes Yves Robert, secretary of the province’s College of Physicians as stating that “As Quebecers become accustomed to doctors administering lethal injections to dying patients, the questions will not be about who is receiving euthanasia but who is being denied it”. He further raised the example of a patient suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease who would not be eligible for euthanasia under the Quebec law because he is no longer legally capable of giving consent.
Another example is the requirement that patients should be adults, meaning those under 18 who are terminally ill and suffering would not be eligible. “We will have to think about that, not only for [incapable] adults but obviously for youngsters who face terminal diseases.” Dr. Robert said.
Wikipedia.org states that euthanasia is illegal in all states of the United States; however Physician aid in dying (PAD), or assisted suicide, is legal in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Vermont. The key difference between euthanasia and PAD is who administers the lethal dose of medication. Euthanasia entails the physician or another third party administering the medication, whereas PAD requires the patient to self-administer the (doctor-prescribed) medication and to determine whether and when to do this.
Outside of the United States, the National Post reports that Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg allow euthanasia, which allows doctors to administer the lethal dose. In February of 2014, the Belgian parliament agreed to extend access to euthanasia to minors. Since legalizing euthanasia in 2002, Belgium has seen the euthanasia of people suffering depression and of a set of deaf twins who were losing their eyesight. Critics worry that Quebec will follow Belgium’s path and that conditions will be relaxed over time.
Nicolas Steenhout, director-general of the anti-euthanasia group Living with Dignity is quoted as stating : “Considering that Bill 52 is so closely modeled after the law in Belgium and considering that there has been a lot of abuse in Belgium in the last 10 years … we are certainly concerned about the possibility of that happening in Quebec”.
Proponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide argue that they are only trying to minimize the suffering of terminally ill patients, and others that may not be terminally ill but are subjected to much pain, stress and trauma among other inconveniences while alive. However, this position then allows human beings to infringe on what is the sole prerogative of God: He who created us and gave us life is the only One with the sovereign right to take life away. When we exercise that right, we effectively become murderers. Besides that, these practices cheapen the value and sanctity of life and widen the temptation to ‘eliminate’ other categories of people.
Matt Slick, writing for Carm.org surmises concerning euthanasia and assisted suicide: “Finally, like so many things in the world, when a small compromise is made many injustices are eventually allowed. If euthanasia is permitted under the emotional and moral claim that it is best for the individual, what is to prevent the government from eventually stepping in and determining who else needs to be terminated?
Might the definition of euthanasia be expanded to include those who are suffering from chronic depression, or just don’t like living -- or are not productive in society? We must ask that if the door to killing people in their old age is opened, can it ever be closed again? Think about it. The beginning of life is now open to destruction in abortion, and the end of life is now being considered for destruction as well.”
There is surely a better way. Examples of people who overcome physical pain and suffering by the grace of God abound. One such example is the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, the Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities.
A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, without the use of her hands. She has since become an inspiration to many, accomplishing things that many physically normal people can only marvel at, including making highly professional artistic drawings using her mouth, singing beautifully and inspiring many in similar conditions to arise and let God be glorified and allow His grace to be sufficient to them. Despite whatever tragedy, pain or suffering that people may face, God is able to bring meaning and purpose to it all, to work it out to the good of all who put their trust in Him (Romans 8:28).
But as regards euthanasia and so-called assisted suicide, God Himself makes very clear His instructions in four unmistakable words:
Thou shalt not kill. (Deuteronomy 5:17; Exodus 20:13)
click here
April 21, 2014 | Tom Olago
Medical practice in Canada seems to be well on its way to being permitted to expand its scope of legalized murder processes from abortions, to include euthanasia as well.
Euthanasia is typically branded in socially acceptable euphemisms such as “mercy killing” and PAD [physician-assisted death]. Doctors who specialize in caring for the terminally ill argue in Canada’s leading medical journal that it’s time to move to prepare for a future where sick patients would be granted “the freedom to choose when and how they die”. This may soon become a reality if the Supreme Court of Canada rules this year that laws banning doctor-hastened death violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The National Post recently quoted Dr. James Downar, a critical care and palliative care physician at Toronto General Hospital stating in a commentary co-authored by the late palliative care pioneer Dr. Lawrence Librach: “the debate is about to become obsolete…physician-assisted death is going to become legal in Canada in the very near future by one means or another and crucial questions need to be answered, including when does suffering become “intolerable” and how long must it last before doctor-assisted death could be granted?
Would psychological or “existential” angst be grounds for seeking a lethal injection?... Our well-rehearsed debates about whether sanctity of life is more valuable than personal autonomy or whether people can experience intolerable suffering despite receiving optimal palliative care may become obsolete…We need to start discussing pressing questions now.”
Some of the key “pressing questions” include monitoring and safeguards to protect patients from being coerced into seeking doctor-assisted deaths against their will, how to protect doctors who object to helping a patient take his or her life, and how the need for clear protocols governing the entire process would be ensured.
The National Post references a recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association that suggests that a majority of Canadians are in favor of legalizing medically assisted suicide. However, the poll, completed by more than 2,000 doctors, found only 20% of MDs surveyed said they would be willing to perform euthanasia. Twice as many — 42% — said they would refuse to do so.
It is not clear to what extent these views have been influenced by the possibility that doctors could be left to operate in a “legal vacuum” similar to when prohibitions against abortion were struck down, as suggested in the Canadian Medical Association Journal commentary.
Examples of the momentum being gained by euthanasia proponents within Canada reportedly include the following developments:
• Manitoba MP Steven Fletcher, a quadriplegic, has introduced two private member’s bills allowing doctor-assisted death under certain circumstances.
• The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in October on assisted dying involving the cases of two British Columbia women.
• Quebec’s National Assembly was close to passing legislation that would legalize “medical aid in dying” before the election call.
The intended Quebec legislation (‘Bill 52’) brings out some of the salient issues under consideration with regard to euthanasia. According to a separate National Post report in February 2014, under Bill 52, in addition to being an adult and mentally fit, a patient seeking euthanasia — the bill calls it “medical aid in dying” — must suffer from an incurable serious illness and be in constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain. He must also be in an advanced state of irreversible decline and be at the end of life.
The National Post report quotes Yves Robert, secretary of the province’s College of Physicians as stating that “As Quebecers become accustomed to doctors administering lethal injections to dying patients, the questions will not be about who is receiving euthanasia but who is being denied it”. He further raised the example of a patient suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease who would not be eligible for euthanasia under the Quebec law because he is no longer legally capable of giving consent.
Another example is the requirement that patients should be adults, meaning those under 18 who are terminally ill and suffering would not be eligible. “We will have to think about that, not only for [incapable] adults but obviously for youngsters who face terminal diseases.” Dr. Robert said.
Wikipedia.org states that euthanasia is illegal in all states of the United States; however Physician aid in dying (PAD), or assisted suicide, is legal in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Vermont. The key difference between euthanasia and PAD is who administers the lethal dose of medication. Euthanasia entails the physician or another third party administering the medication, whereas PAD requires the patient to self-administer the (doctor-prescribed) medication and to determine whether and when to do this.
Outside of the United States, the National Post reports that Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg allow euthanasia, which allows doctors to administer the lethal dose. In February of 2014, the Belgian parliament agreed to extend access to euthanasia to minors. Since legalizing euthanasia in 2002, Belgium has seen the euthanasia of people suffering depression and of a set of deaf twins who were losing their eyesight. Critics worry that Quebec will follow Belgium’s path and that conditions will be relaxed over time.
Nicolas Steenhout, director-general of the anti-euthanasia group Living with Dignity is quoted as stating : “Considering that Bill 52 is so closely modeled after the law in Belgium and considering that there has been a lot of abuse in Belgium in the last 10 years … we are certainly concerned about the possibility of that happening in Quebec”.
Proponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide argue that they are only trying to minimize the suffering of terminally ill patients, and others that may not be terminally ill but are subjected to much pain, stress and trauma among other inconveniences while alive. However, this position then allows human beings to infringe on what is the sole prerogative of God: He who created us and gave us life is the only One with the sovereign right to take life away. When we exercise that right, we effectively become murderers. Besides that, these practices cheapen the value and sanctity of life and widen the temptation to ‘eliminate’ other categories of people.
Matt Slick, writing for Carm.org surmises concerning euthanasia and assisted suicide: “Finally, like so many things in the world, when a small compromise is made many injustices are eventually allowed. If euthanasia is permitted under the emotional and moral claim that it is best for the individual, what is to prevent the government from eventually stepping in and determining who else needs to be terminated?
Might the definition of euthanasia be expanded to include those who are suffering from chronic depression, or just don’t like living -- or are not productive in society? We must ask that if the door to killing people in their old age is opened, can it ever be closed again? Think about it. The beginning of life is now open to destruction in abortion, and the end of life is now being considered for destruction as well.”
There is surely a better way. Examples of people who overcome physical pain and suffering by the grace of God abound. One such example is the story of Joni Eareckson Tada, the Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities.
A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, without the use of her hands. She has since become an inspiration to many, accomplishing things that many physically normal people can only marvel at, including making highly professional artistic drawings using her mouth, singing beautifully and inspiring many in similar conditions to arise and let God be glorified and allow His grace to be sufficient to them. Despite whatever tragedy, pain or suffering that people may face, God is able to bring meaning and purpose to it all, to work it out to the good of all who put their trust in Him (Romans 8:28).
But as regards euthanasia and so-called assisted suicide, God Himself makes very clear His instructions in four unmistakable words:
Thou shalt not kill. (Deuteronomy 5:17; Exodus 20:13)
click here
