May Archive

Terrific new website to combat euthanasia in Tasmania

Michael Cook | 11 May 2012

The legalisation of euthanasia is a real possibility in the Australian state of Tasmania. But today’s media launch of a stunning new website could tip the balance in favour of opponents. Hopefully it will get widespread publicity.

April Archive

Let’s give intellectually disabled the right to euthanasia, say Belgian humanists

Michael Cook | 27 April 2012

People with intellectual disabilities, all children and people with dementia should be able to request euthanasia, the Belgian Liberal Humanist Association (HVV) has declared.

Mickey Rooney highlights the danger of elder abuse

Michael Cook | 20 April 2012

Mickey Rooney, the Hollywood icon who testified before the US Congress about his experience with elder abuse, stars in an 82-minute documentary, “Last Will and Embezzlement”.

Hard cases, great cases, and bad law

Paul Russell | 17 April 2012

The UK case of the plight of Locked-In suffer, Tony Nicklinson, who is seeking to ‘change the existing understanding of the common law’ on assisted suicide (effectively, murder) is by any rendering a hard case.

Flags of convenience: autonomy, dignity

Monique David | 11 April 2012

According to the newly released report, Dying with Dignity, co-signed by nine Quebec politicians, people are now ready to regard death through a new lens.

A palliative care physician says euthanasia is not needed

Michael Cook | 04 April 2012

Here's an excellent little debate between a doctor who supports legalised euthanasia in Australia and one who opposes it. Well worth a look. Hat tip to Paul Russell, of HOPE.

How voluntary is “voluntary”?

Michael Cook | 03 April 2012

A criminologist at the University of Tasmania doubts that many people in the community will be able to give full and voluntary consent to ending their lives through euthanasia. The growing prevalence of elder abuse suggests that aged people could easily be manipulated.

Remembering the Nazi euthanasia of the disabled

Michael Cook | 02 April 2012

The Italian Parliament has declared January 27 a "day of remembrance" for victims of Nazi ideology. In the first place, this means the Shoah, the extermination of 6 million Jews. But thousands of disabled people were also killed between 1940 and 1941 until protests by locals and the Bishop of Münster, Clemens von Galen. This video is a timely reminder of how indifferent we can become to the lives of the disabled.

March Archive

Quebec could legalise euthanasia

Michael Cook | 29 March 2012

A parliamentary committee in Quebec has recommended the legalisation of euthanasia with strict safeguards. Its report, “Mourir dans la dignité” (Dying With Dignity), contends that dying is a part of life and since medical assistance is used to prolong life, it should also be used in extreme cases to end it.

Oregon releases murky assisted suicide stats

Michael Cook | 28 March 2012

Oregon’s public health division has released statistics on deaths under its physician-assisted suicide (PAS)legislation for 2011.

UK locked-in patient may set dangerous euthanasia precedent

Peter Saunders | 13 March 2012

Legal action brought by a locked-in syndrome sufferer, who wants a doctor to be able to end his ‘intolerable’ life lawfully, can go ahead following a judge's ruling today. The Ministry of Justice had previously argued that the case should be struck out on the grounds that it is a matter for Parliament, rather than the courts, to decide. But the judge's ruling today means that Mr Nicklinson's case will go to a full hearing, where medical evidence can be heard.

Official FAQ on Dutch euthanasia

Michael Cook | 08 March 2012

In 2010 the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs published an FAQ about Dutch euthanasia. This is a very useful document as it provides an authoritative reference for defining exactly what happens there. It covers such issues as euthanasia of demented patients (not in principle, but there are exceptions), of chronic psychiatric patients (not prohibited in all cases), of minors (between 12 to 15, parental permission required), and of infants (never, except of newborn infants suffering extreme pain and discomfort).

Artificial nutrition and hydration should normally be withdrawn, says doctor

Michael Cook | 04 March 2012

An American doctor argues in the latest issue of the leading journal Bioethics that artificial nutrition and hydration should be withdrawn from all patients in a permanent vegetative state – unless there is clear evidence that they want to be kept alive.

Questions asked about euthanasia for brain-damaged Dutch prince

Michael Cook | 03 March 2012

Dutch Prince Johan Friso, brain-damaged after being buried by an avalanche in Austria last month, has been transferred to Wellington Hospital, in London. Doctors believe that the 43-year-old is unlikely to recover consciousness, although will be weeks before they have a clear idea of his prospects.

Santorum sparks controversy over Dutch euthanasia

Michael Cook | 02 March 2012

So when US presidential hopeful Rick Santorum described the state of euthanasia in the Netherlands on February 3 in a forum in Missouri, he failed to kick a goal. In fact, the Washington Post fact checker, who is the son of Dutch migrants and whose uncle was euthanased, disparaged his “bogus statistics” and awarded him four Pinicchios. He was ridiculed in the New York Times and on Radio Netherlands.

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