Do Not Legalise Euthanasia

(Source: BBC Ethics Website)

Euthanasia is initially targeting those with terminal illnesses on the grounds of compassion for their suffering and wanting to alleviate it by ending it. This attempt for justifying euthanasia is based on misguided compassion. “Most people regard life as something sacred and hold that no one may dispose of it at will” (Declaration on Euthanasia, Chapter 1, Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, May 5 1980).

Genuine compassion for the terminally ill has for many years been offered by medical, palliative and hospice care. This care fulfills the emotional, spiritual and medical needs our terminally ill brothers and sisters. Euthanasia will devastate these services and undermine the doctor-patient relationship as has been seen in places which have legalized euthanasia and physician assisted suicide (PAS) e.g. in Oregon and the Netherlands. In the Netherlands this law has degenerated into allowing euthanasia for infants and also for patients with psychological illnesses. It has even been exposed that 38 % of all euthanasia victims were killed by their “doctors” against their will with doctors refusing to report such cases. This is an outrage!

In these places we have seen euthanasia being promoted among our frail, elderly and the disabled as a viable and preferred option with utter disregard to their human dignity. These people are vulnerable to the suggestions of their “doctor” and can be easily persuaded, particularly if there is no one there to support them. This is morally intolerable and is “an offense against the dignity of the human person, a crime against life and an attack on humanity” (Declaration on Euthanasia, Chapter 2).

Our compassionate efforts to support our disadvantaged, elderly and ill citizens irrespective of their status in society is what has set Australia and all civilized nations apart from those with low morality and barbarism. Currently the majority of the world view suicide and intentionally causing ones own death as illegal under the moral law and contrary to the Hippocratic oath. Doctors are meant to save lives not take lives!