Euthanasia is not a medical act

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 18 Aug 2013.

Some wise words from Rosalie Douglas, a Canadian opponent of euthanasia:

Most doctors believe that physician-assisted suicide poisons the mission of medicine.  Euthanasia … runs contrary to what it means to be a professional healer.  The public must be reassured that the needs of dying patients can now be met with the current legislation and practices.  Doctors are able to have conversations about halting futile life-supporting interventions: they are able to unplug ventilators and be a compassionate witness to death.  Also they are now able to relieve physical and emotional suffering with an increasingly sophisticated array of medication…

Most doctors do not want to teach medical students how to end their patients’ lives.  Palliative care physicians are among the staunchest opponents of euthanasia…  Contrary to what the promoters of euthanasia are telling us, the patients placed in palliative care are given [medical], emotional and spiritual assistance to help them through the dying process.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.