Originally published in The New York Times, February 2018 by Richard Sandomir Dr. Arnold Gold, a pediatric neurologist whose belief in the importance of an empathetic bedside manner led him and his wife to create a foundation to inspire young doctors to practice compassionate patient care, died on Jan. 23 in Manhattan. He was 92. His wife, Sandra Gold, confirmed his death. “You’re only half a physician if you’re just …Read More
Originally published in Nursing Review, February 2018 by Taumihau Teremoana The outcome of last year’s government inquiry into assisted dying left me both hopeful and disappointed that as a society we have not addressed alleviating suffering effectively. The inquiry’s decision not to recommend law changes allowing legalised assisted dying was welcomed by Palliative Care Nurses New Zealand and Hospice NZ. Though the concept of suffering is complex much can be said from …Read More
Originally published by New Zealand Herald, March 2017 by Dr Ron Jones Most individuals have strongly held views either for or against the proposed euthanasia legislation. My own views are those of a retired, perhaps somewhat cynical, doctor who has spent most of his professional life caring for women with gynaecological cancer. During this time I was never asked to deliberately end the life of one of them; my wife died …Read More
Originally published in StatNews, January 2018 by Dr Ira Byock Centuries from now, one of the things our era will be known for is the plague of dying badly. A growing number of physicians believe that one solution is helping their dying patients choose to end their lives. I disagree. I’m proud of being a physician and a lifelong political progressive. I ardently believe in human rights. But there are …Read More
Originally published in HOPE: Preventing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide A survey of Canadian doctors reveals that the support of medical professionals for assisted suicide drops significantly once the process becomes legal, with most physicians now refusing to participate in the administration of lethal drugs to their patients. According to the December 2017 edition of Magazine Le Spécialiste which details the survey, the objections from physicians “were far more frequent than …Read More
Originally published by Huffpost, January 2018 by Dr Will Johnston Canadians who are sick and suicidal can now be put to death under various medicalized and government-approved protocols, following court and legislative victories by euthanasia activists. These activists are now turning their considerable talents to a coercive makeover of the palliative hospice movement by demanding that hospices founded on a promise to never deliberately hasten death should provide a death-hastening service. …Read More
Originally published by First Things, February 1996 by Dr Leon Kass Recent efforts to legalize physician-assisted suicide and to establish a constitutional “right to die” are deeply troubling events, morally dubious in themselves, extremely dangerous in their likely consequences. The legalization of physician-assisted suicide, ostensibly a measure enhancing the freedom of dying patients, is in fact a deadly license for physicians to prescribe death, free from outside scrutiny and immune from …Read More
Originally published in The New Zealand Herald, 21 January 2018 By Terry Sarten The current debate around proposed legislation that will allow for assisted dying, euthanasia and the right to die is a deeply profound distraction that suits politicians well. It is simply palliative legislation. The definition of the term palliative includes the words “relieving the pain without dealing with the cause of the condition”. The legislation as it stands …Read More
Originally published in The New Zealand Herald, 16 January 2018 By David E. Richmond Dr Havill’s opinion piece in last Tuesday’s Herald is a fine example of the genre of emotionalism he rails against in those who oppose his attempts to convince the public that legalised euthanasia is the holy grail of medicine. Unfortunately he has not been able to save himself from the mire of emotionalism and exaggeration he criticises …Read More
Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 November 2017 By Richard Chye One of the hallmarks of the euthanasia debate so far – in NSW and Victoria – has been the determination of its proponents to depict any opposition as being based purely on religion. So, before I go on, perhaps it would help to make the following clear. I am not religious. I do not follow a …Read More