Monthly Archives: June 2017

Euthanasia and assisted dying is a controversialissue, with passionate campaigners on each side of the argument

THE debate around euthanasia and assisted dying in the UK is a controversial and complicated one with some saying choosing when to die is to die with dignity, while others claim it undermines the value of human life.

So what is euthanasia and assisted suicide and what is the debate surrounding this issue? We explain the details surrounding this sensitive and divisive subject.

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Euthanasia, sometimes known as mercy killing, is the practice of intentionally ending someones life to relieve their pain and suffering.

Assistedsuicide is deliberately helping or encouraging someone to take their own life, for example by providingthem with medicine to do so.

The term comes from an ancient Greek phrase meaning good death.

Both are illegal in the UK with euthanasia carrying a maximum penalty of life in jail, and assisted suicide 14 years. The only exception is passive euthanasia, which is where treatment that might extend someones life is withdrawn such as a life machine being turned off.

The only alternatives for terminally ill patients in the UK arehospice care or refusing treatment, which mentally capable patientshave the right to do.

As a result, some terminally ill people decide to travel abroad to die.In Switzerland, where assisted suicide is legal (but euthanasia is not), you do not have to be a Swiss citizen to use a clinic.However, it is not cheap assisted suicide non-profit Dignitas charges patients 3,380 for its services.

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Euthanasia anddying is a controversialissue with passionate campaigners on each side of the argument.

People who agree with euthanasia often argue that people should be allowed to die with dignity and they should be able to decide when and how they die, and potentially save their loved ones the pain of seeing them suffer.

Some also believe death is private, and its not the states place to interfere if a person wants to die.

Meanwhile, those in favour of euthanasia also point out that we euthanise our pets as an act of kindness and resources could be put towards people who want to live, or whose conditions are curable.

However, there are concerns that allowing euthanasia would give doctors too much power, and might even worsencare for the terminally ill and research into their illnesses.

Some also believe it goes against the job description of doctors and nurses and undermines the value of human life.

Others also worry about the possibility of someone potentially recovering, or changing their mind when its already too late. Some have even suggestedit could lead to people feeling pressured into asking to die, as they dont want to be a burden upon those around them.

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Many religious people are opposed to euthanasia and assisted dying too, as they believe God decides when we die.

Right now, despite fierce campaigning from organisations such as Dignity in Dying, the law is showing no signs of changing in the UK.

In September 2015MPs debated the issue for the first time in almost 20 years but the Assisted Dying Bill was rejected by 330 votes to 118, leading to reformers branding MPs ridiculously out of touch.

Motor neurone disease sufferer Noel Conway is one of the latest to try and challenge UK law on assisted dying.

The retired college lecturer took his case to the Court of Appeal after he was refused permission to bring a judicial review over the blanket ban on providing a person with assistance to die.

His lawyers said when he has less than six months to live and retains the mental capacity to make the decision, he would wish to be able to enlist assistance to bring about a peaceful and dignified death.

He claims the Suicide Act 1961 is incompatible with Article 8, which relates to respect for private and family life, and Article 14, which protects from discrimination.

Sun columnist Lorraine Kelly agreed, saying it was cruel for the state to deny him a peaceful death.

Lord Justice McFarlane and Lord Justice Beatsondecided in his favour on April 12, 2017, granting him the right to bring a High Court legal challenge.

Earlier this year a Belgian Paralympian caused controversy when she told reporters in Rioshe signed euthanasia papers in 2008 but is not ready to go through with it yet.

Marieke Vervoort, 37,suffers from an incurable degenerative muscle disease andpicked up the silver medal in the 400m T52 final.

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What is euthanasia and assisted suicide law in the UK and what is the mercy killing debate? - The Sun

Euthanasia could be legal in New Zealand in less than a year with legislation to come before parliament in as little as a few weeks.

The End of Life Choice Bill was plucked at random from the members' ballot on Thursday, almost two years after it was first included, and there's confidence it has the numbers to pass.

It would give people over 18 with a terminal illness or a "grievous" medical condition the option to choose assisted dying if they have the support of two doctors.

Act Party leader David Seymour, the party's sole MP, is confident MPs will easily pass the legislation and says at best, assisted suicide could be legal in just under a year.

He says Kiwis are capable of having the discussion, taking aim at Australian politicians who are yet to consider same-sex marriage or physician-assisted dying.

"It might be an issue with the Australian public but in New Zealand, they are quite capable of separating [issues around euthanasia]," he said.

But the timing could be troubling for some MPs, with it yet to be determined if the legislation will come before the House of Representatives ahead of the September election.

"It will then take another six months to a year after that before it's potentially passed into law and of course we've got to make sure we've got the numbers at each of the three votes," Mr Seymour said.

New Zealand's unicameral system means the legislation only needs to pass through a committee stage and three readings in the House of Representatives before becoming law.

In the last count six months ago, there were 40 votes in support, 27 opposed and around 50 MPs undecided.

The unknown factor is new MPs who will enter parliament after the September 23 election.

Across New Zealand, polling puts public support for legalising euthanasia above 70 per cent.

If successful it would be the second major piece of conscience legislation passed by New Zealand's parliament in the last few years.

While the same-sex marriage debate continues to rage in Australia, Kiwis have been happily marrying for four years.

State parliaments in both Victoria and New South Wales are expected to consider euthanasia legislation later this year.

But just last month legislation failed to pass Tasmania's lower house, with twice as many MPs opposing change as those in favour.

A bill in South Australia was defeated by a single vote last November.

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New Zealand likely to legalise euthanasia - 9news.com.au

An 80-year-old man who killed his paralyzed wife in Shau Kei Wan did it to spare her from further suffering, his younger brother said.

He said the condition of his sister-in-law had deteriorated when he visited the couple during the Tuen Ng festival, news website hk01.com reports.

Half of her body was paralyzed. My brother gave her massages, cooked for her and bathed her, he said.

He said that as euthanasia is illegal in Hong Kong, his brother had no choice but to kill his wife to end her misery.

In December, Secretary for Food and Health Ko Wing-man said the government had no plans to legalize euthanasia or hold any public consultations on it.

Ko said there had been some requests for euthanasia from terminally ill patients who later changed their minds after being given proper palliative care.

Ko said patients can use advance directive to spell out decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time.

Lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun, who represents the social welfare functional constituency, said euthanasia is an issue civilized societies cannot avoid.

He said he hoped the Shau Kei Wan tragedy could induce more public discussions on the controversial subject.

Former lawmaker Cheung Kwok-che, said that while society can discuss and debate euthanasia, legislation alone cannot help prevent cases as happened in Shau Kei Wan.

Cheung said there are are strict requirements for legal euthanasia to be given, including certain medical conditions, and not just the will of the patient.

According to Ko, euthanasia is only legal in a few countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Edward Leung Man-fuk, chairperson of the Hong Kong Association of Gerontology, said euthanasia or advance directive is the giving up of interventional treatment on a terminally ill patient. However, such conditions are not applicable for patients who suffered a stroke.

Leung said it is more important to improve the support system of the patients caregivers to avoid tragedies.

With Hong Kongs population rapidly aging, Leung said the government should review the relevant policies to tackle the issue.

In Taiwan, family caregivers can opt to take a short break from their long-term caregiving with government providing temporary caregivers.

This way, family caregivers who can choose to stay on premises provided by the government for a short period, can take a break from the burdens of looking after ailing family members.

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Shau Kei Wan tragedy sparks debate on euthanasia - EJ Insight

Over several decades, the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center is following a national trend toward euthanizing less animals brought in.

Bob Gatt, director of the shelter, says that the facility hovers at about a 90-percent no-kill rate, a number that is looked upon favorably in the industry.

Gatt says there are several factors in the trend in Oakland County toward lower euthanasia rates:

There is no time limit on how long an adoptable pet can stay in the shelter awaiting a new home, a change from decades ago. Weve had animals in here for over a year, he says.

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There is better education about having pets spayed and neutered, resulting in less unwanted litters of puppies and kittens, Gatt said.

More prospective pet owners are aware of the option of adopting a dog or cat from a shelter, he said.

According to some estimates, animal shelters nationwide killed as many as 20 million cats and dogs annually in the 1970s. That had fallen to 2.6 million by 2011 and to 1.5 million currently, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Oakland County shelter handles 4,000 to 5,000 animals per year. Generally, only those deemed unadoptable are euthanized. Unadoptable animals are seriously ill or injured without a reasonable hope of improving, deemed vicious or have traits that make them unsuitable to be pets, Gatt said.

The shelter, at 1700 Brown Road in Auburn Hills, employs several full-time veterinary technicians and part-time veterinarians. Animals brought in sick or injured are treated on site whenever possible or sent out to a veterinarian for treatment if no staff member is available.

Animals rights groups consistently question the shelters euthanasia figures, but Gatt says those groups are an important factor in the decrease in animals being put down.

Over the years, the groups have brought awareness to more humane treatment of animals.

Even the ones who dont like me, I applaud them, Gatt said.

A new state-of-the-art shelter is to open this summer in the Oakland County municipal complex at Telegraph and Pontiac Lake roads.

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Oakland County animal shelter's decreasing euthanasia rates mirror ... - The Oakland Press

Lecretia Seales' widower says the late euthanasia campaigner would be "over the moon" at news that a voluntary euthanasia bill will be debated in parliament.

ACT leader David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill was drawn from the member's bill ballot today.

Speaking to media at parliament today, Matt Vickers says, "Lecretia would be very happy ... she would be over the moon that this has finally got to the point where it's coming before the House".

Lecretia Seales died of brain cancer in June 2015. A Wellington based lawyer, she campaigned for voluntary euthanasia to be made legal.

In the week before she dieda High Court judgment ruled against Ms Seales allowing a doctor to euthanise her without fear of prosecution.

Mr Vickers today welcomed the issue of euthanasia once again being thrust into the spotlight.

"When Lecretia took her case in 2015 she was hoping to galvanise political action through that case ... but the hope of course was to get a bill introduced into parliament."

He went on to say that he's, "very happy with the news today and can't wait for it to be debated in parliament and for the proper evidence based discussion to take place".

Strong opposition in public submissions

The End of Life Choice Bill gives people with a terminal illness or a "grievous and irremediable medical condition" the option of requesting assisted dying.

It defines those eligible and details a comprehensive set of provisions to ensure it is a free choice made without coercion.

It also outlines a stringent series of steps to ensure the person is mentally capable of understanding the nature and consequences of their decision.

MPs will have a conscience vote on the bill, and parties won't take positions on it.

In May, 1 NEWS reported how an anti-euthanasia group's analysis of submissions made to the Health Select Committee investigating medically assisted dying, had found the majority opposed legalisation of euthanasia.

More than 21,000 written submissions were received, after a petition was taken to parliament in 2015 calling for an overhaul of euthanasia laws.

The Care Alliance reviewed each submission, and found 77 per cent opposed legalisation, 19.5 per cent were in support, and 3.4 per cent were neutral or unclear.

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Lecretia Seales' widower says she 'would be over the moon' with ... - TVNZ

Parliament is set to debate two big controversial issues - euthanasia and medicinal cannabis - in election year.

Medical cannabis.

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ACT leader David Seymour's End of Life Choice Bill was drawn from the member's bill ballot today, along with Green MP Julie Anne Genter's Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.

Both will go on Parliament's agenda for a first reading.

The End of Life Choice Bill gives people with a terminal illness or a "grievous and irremediable medical condition" the option of requesting assisted dying.

It defines those eligible and details a comprehensive set of provisions to ensure it is a free choice made without coercion.

It also outlines a stringent series of steps to ensure the person is mentally capable of understanding the nature and consequences of their decision.

MPs will have a conscience vote on the bill, and parties won't take positions on it.

"Fantastic news, long awaited," Mr Seymour tweeted.

Assisted dying has been debated twice before by Parliament, the first time was in 1995, when the Death With Dignity Bill was defeated 61-29 on its first reading.

The second time was in 2003, when another Death With Dignity Bill was defeated 60-58, also on its first reading.

Green MP Julie Anne Genter also Tweeted her excitement about her medicinal cannabis bill being pulled from the ballot this afternoon.

The purpose of the medicinalcannabis bill is to make the drug legal for New Zealanders who are suffering from terminal illness or chronic illness to use cannabis or cannabis products with the support of a registered medical practitioner.

The bill aims to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act to give a person living with a terminal illness the right to "cultivate, possess or use the cannabis plant" and or "cannasbis products for therapeutic purposes" as long as the person is supported by a registered medical practitioner.

Currently, cannabis-based products can only be used with permission from the Ministry of Health and are dealtwith a case to case basis.

Link:

Julie Anne Genter's medicinal cannabis bill, David Seymour's ... - TVNZ