Ethicist Nicholas Tonti-Filippini has responded to calls in Victoria to revisit the issue of legalising euthanasia in that state by reflecting on his own experiences with terminal illness.
Writing in The Age newspaper, Associate Professor Tonti-Filippini, argued that legalising euthanasia was an inappropriate response to suffering because it would push dependent patients to seek euthanasia, and because it would undermine the provision of palliative care.
He also explained how no euthanasia legislation could ever prevent abuse, “because the essence of such legislation is to make respect for our lives contingent upon the strength of our will to survive”.
The tone of reader comments to the article – the majority of which were highly critical – prompted Mercatornet Michael Cook to pen an article of his own to analyse the state of the euthanasia debate. He writes:
“No one expects internet comments to be balanced and thoughtful, but the vituperation in today’s comments was unsettling. They reveal four things about euthanasia and assisted suicide. First, that support for euthanasia is so visceral that it defies reasoned discussion. Second, that it is so me-centred that every argument about its community impact will hit a brick wall. Third, from a utilitarian point of view, Christianity is a abominable force for evil. Fourth, that the notion of meaningful suffering is incomprehensible.”
Yet with parliaments the world over, including a number in Australia, repeatedly knocking back attempts to legalise euthanasia, it would appear the impact of the practice on the community is a big factor in legislators’ thinking.
Let’s hope the needs of society’s most vulnerable continue to be the focus of the discussion on euthanasia, and not the absolute rights of empowered individuals to express their autonomy, particularly as the federal parliament prepares for a debate on this critical issue.
Euthanasia is not the answer to suffering and terminal illness. The situation in Holland should be very carefully studied by any society which wishes to legalize euthanasia. There are droves of elderly people wishing to migrate to another country because if they feel unwell they are terrified to call the doctor, in case they cop that painless injection! “Mercy-killing” has got out of hand in Holland, where many cases are unreported.
The only answer to painful prolonged terminal illness is palliative care, where our politicians should be directing some of our taxes!
Yours sincerely
Heather J Robinson
There is no diginity in euthanasia. Having a doctor or someone else put you down like a sick animal does not afford dignity to any one. Of course many would disagree because they see that man is no different than an animal. The reality is that man is a higher life form and requires that higher dignity in life and death. We all would like a nice death, you know die peacefully in our sleep etc. no pain. The reality is different and all of us will suffer death pain or no pain. Most people accept this and while some are unwilling or scared and even fear death it is our end. It is understandable that those rushing to end their life without pain want euthanasia legalised. But it is a selfish desire, fine for them they are dead and the rest of us are left wondering if we will die at the hands of a doctor who has taken on the role of God. If we allow this insidious form of murder many will suffer an early unecessary death, it could be you or your loved one.
The misinformation about Physician Assisted Dying, and rash, unfounded statements about voluntary euthanasia, are very worrying. Where does Heather Robinson get her inaccurate information that droves of elderly people who “feel unwell” want to leave Holland to avoid “copping a painless injection from the doctor?…or as Les Aldridge puts it, having a doctor or someone else put you down like an animal.” He calls it an insidious form of murder.”
The procedure in Oregon, where P.A.D. is legal is as follows: the patient has to request medication, without it being suggested, wait 15 days for a second opinion from another doctor, put a request in writing, then wait another 15 days before the prescription is written. Nobody can administer the medication. The patient must ingest it themselves, with 2 witnesses present…..THIS IS NOT MURDER.
In Belgium, which has a very high standard of palliative care, it is totally integrated with Physician Assisted Dying in national health. 20% of people there progress from palliative care to P.A.D if the pain in not sufficiently controllable.
My husband would not have felt it necessary to shoot himself when dying of cancer if P.A.D was legal then.