4 Prayer: Euthanasia in Belgium

A recent article, Half do not agree to die, from The Age picks up the hot topic of Euthanasia.
 
Euthanasia is legal in Belgium and has been since 2002. Sadly 2% of deaths in Belgium are due to Euthanasia. One of the big problems with this, apart from the obvious, is that a study has suggested that almost half of the deaths… have involved patients who did not explicitly request that their lives be ended by a doctor.

 Of the nurses interviewed (who had been involved in the euthanasia of patients), a fifth said that it was based on the ”assumption” they (the patient) would want to die, and nearly half had taken part in terminations without request or consent. The nurses involved in the temination of lives have operated beyond the legal margins of their professions, because the Law states that the patient must consent and that doctors must carry out the procedure. 

We should take warning from this that wherever you draw the line people will go up to it and beyond it. – Dr Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing (anti-euthanasia charity)   

Read the article here

See also,  Opposing assisted suicide –‘religious’ push?, Assisted dying UK, ‘Euthanasia booths’: a martini and medal?, Euthanasia-prayer power, End of life spiritual care, More response to euthanasia ‘No’, Dying with dignity bill – voted out, Euthanasia Report (4): Who’s autonomous?, Euthanasia Report (3): PAS: a simplistic reaction and threat?, Euthanasia Report (2): Pros and Cons, Euthanasia Report (1): Tasmanian Parliament, Pro euthanasia: 7 ‘non religious’replies.


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