Originally published in Stuff, 1 February 2016 Dear Stuff community, As a doctor, I do not support legalising assisted dying. I recognise that people on both sides of this debate have compassion for people who are suffering and want to help them. The main difference in opinion is the way in which we think our society and government should go about that. We all value autonomy/choice, although I would …Read More
Originally published by The Nathaniel Centre, Issue 52 August 2017 Doctors are not necessary for the regulation or practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide Many doctors want no part in euthanasia or assisted suicide, including some who, on a personal level, are not opposed in principle. As stated in “An Open Letter to New Zealanders” signed to date by more than 300 doctors, “Doctors are not necessary in the regulation …Read More
Originally published on The Care Alliance website, 23 November 2017 The legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Victoria, by the narrowest of margins, introduces an unsafe and unnecessary practice into the heart of their healthcare practice, says Dr Peter Thirkell, Spokesperson for the Care Alliance. Australian medical organisations have stated on numerous occasions that such laws are inherently unsafe, and in the words of the Australian Medical Association mark …Read More
VIEWPOINT: General Practitioners as Professionals: Why the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners needs to have a Position Statement on Euthanasia. Dr Kevin Fitzsimons FRNZCGP General Practitioners are a large and integral part of the Medical Profession. It is likely that on ethical and other contentious issues, General Practitioners will hold a range of opinions as diverse as any other body of educated men and women throughout society. In a …Read More
Originally published in The Guardian, 20 September 2017 By Margaret Somerville Dying and death is not a new phenomenon: we have always become ill, suffered, were going to die and someone else could have killed us. So why now, at the beginning of the 21st century, after prohibiting euthanasia for thousands of years and when we can do so much more to relieve suffering than in the past, do we …Read More
Excellent. The American College of Physicians, after studying the issue, has issued a policy statement against the legalization of assisted suicide. From the ACP Position Paper: Society’s goal should be to make dying less, not more, medical. Physician-assisted suicide is neither a therapy nor a solution to difficult questions raised at the end of life. On the basis of substantive ethics, clinical practice, policy, and other concerns, the ACP does not support …Read More
Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 November 2017 By Sean Nicholls Palliative care professionals have presented a united front against proposed voluntary assisted dying legislation on the eve of debate in the NSW Parliament, declaring the bill “cannot be made safe”. The NSW upper house is set to debate laws that would make it legal for terminally ill NSW residents aged 25 or over and expected to die …Read More
Originally published in The Age, 16 October 2017 by Emma Dawson I’ve hesitated before entering the debate around the assisted dying legislation now before the Victorian Parliament, because people of good intentions are driving the legislative process. But the willingness of some euthanasia advocates to paint all opposition as religious zealotry must not go unchallenged. I’m not religious. And, for the record, I support both marriage equality and abortion rights …Read More
The Asia Pacific Hospice and Palliative Care Network promotes access to good-quality hospice and palliative care for all in the Asia Pacific region. We value every moment of life and do not support any action that has the intention of shortening a person’s life. Restoring dignity and enhancing quality of life is the basis of palliative care. We do not support the deliberate ending of life and we view with …Read More
The New Zealand Health Select Committee conducted an inquiry into ‘Ending One’s Life in New Zealand’ between June 2015 and February 2016. The Select Committee investigated 1) factors that contribute to the desire to end one’s life, 2) the effectiveness of services and support available to those who desire to end their own lives, 3) the attitudes of New Zealanders towards the ending of one’s life and the current legal …Read More