Professor Didier Sicard has produced a report for the French government recommending that euthanasia should remain illegal. He also recommends that “accelerated death” should be allowed in three kinds of circumstances, and news reports describe the proposals as legalizing assisted suicide.[UPI; France 24 International]
Category: Assisted suicide
Woman seeks legalization of assisted suicide in Ireland
58 year old Marie Fleming, wife of euthanasia campaigner Tom Curran, has brought a case in the Irish High Court to legalize assisted suicide in Ireland. She is said to be “terminally ill with multiple sclerosis.” [Reuters]
Interest in euthanasia grows in Australia
The Australia Institute has published the results of a survey indicating that about 70% of the respondents agreed that physicians should be able to provide euthansia in cases of “unrelievable and incurable suffering.” Over 50% thought that euthanasia should be available for patients suffering from dementia who had expressed a desire for euthanasia while competent.[Herald Sun]
American Nurses’ Association drafts policy against euthanasia and assisted sucide
The American Nurses’ Association has offered a draft policy document for public input until 8 November. The position statement opposes nurse participation in euthanasia and assisted suicide. Some of those opposed to the procedures remain concerned that the draft statement equates the provision of food and fluids with medical treatment that can be withdrawn from patients even if they are not dying. [Lifesite News]
McGill University professor suggests new profession needed if euthanasia legalized
J. Donald Boudreau, Arnold P. Gold Foundation Associate Professor of Medicine at McGill University, has written a column protesting a decision by a B.C. Supreme Court judge to legalize physician assisted suicide and euthanasia. Dr. Boudreau argues that the decision, if upheld, would poison the practice of medicine. He closes with the suggestion that, if Canadians are willing legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia despite the concerns of palliative care physicians, responsibility for providing the services should be assigned to a new profession: euthanatrics. [Globe and Mail]