Euthanasia is already a reality in Quebec hospitals, the president of the federation of Quebec medical specialists, told a National Assembly committee yesterday.
Doctors know when death is “imminent and inevitable,” Gaétan Barrette explained.
But doctors are aware they can be charged with murder if they administer a “palliative sedative” before a patient is on his or her last breath.
Geoffrey Kelley, chairman of the committee, explained that MNAs will hear about 30 expert witnesses on “dying with dignity” to prepare a paper for a travelling public consultation this fall.
Barrette told the committee the issue of euthanasia could not be discussed in Quebec 50 years ago, comparing it with the evolution in thinking about abortion.
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Many of us have witnessed someone endure inhuman pain and suffering due to illness such as cancer before the blessed relief by death. As a society we don’t let pets similarily suffer. We haven’t even got the guts to splash water in a terrorist’s face to save dozens, perhaps thousands of innocent lives because it’s too ‘inhumane’. Watching somebody die a slow agonizing death from cancer, when painkillers no longer provide relief, now that is the epitome of inhumane. Yet look at what we permit being done to each other, and in the name of what? It is time that we as a truly humane and compassionate society gave serious consideration to some form of strictly controlled legalized euthanasia.
You’re walking in a minefield BTDT, as is the author of the article and the doctors concerned but it’s interesting and perhaps time to discuss the issue. Personally, I think things are fine as they are with a “Do not resuscitate” order and it is all that is required.
We don’t have to go there.
‘Do not resuscitate’ is all fine and good, but the person who so chooses is already dead. IMO the person, who because of the final stages of a terminal illness, is guaranteed weeks, months or longer of excruciating pain, misery, unable to even recognize family and friends and therefore denied any semblance of happiness or even dignity is in an entirely different category. When the quality of life deteriorates to that point, I would suggest that with perhaps a few exceptions, every single patient would choose permanent and blessed relief from their personal hell on earth. Minefield or not, yes it is time to discuss this issue.
@Jack: I disagree, what right does the state (or indeed anyone) have to tell me when it is my time to go?
If I am terminally ill and choose not to spend my final days in pain or in some drug induced fog someone hopes may alleviate it that is my right and my right alone.
Hell Jack, if (gods forbid) I am diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and decide I don’t want to hang in there until the ultimate degenerating end, or put my family through the very special hell that disease creates, why should I not be allowed to make that decision?
These debates pop up from time to time. The answer is… there is no answer as each person needs to make up their own mind to suit their own circumstances.
it is a very slippery slope
I agree with Jack
being anti-life wins no medals Gold Silver or Bronze
fh
Let’s talk about the REAL reason people are against the right to die – fear of mortality. Yes, you won’t live forever and giving the doctors any latitude whatsoever for inducing death ultimately kills your faint, subconscious desire for immortality.
This same fear is what drives a lot of the resistance to Obamacare. The idea that Grandpa won’t be able to consume 1/2 a warehouse of pharmaceuticals to squeeze out an extra 3 months of life –due to limited resources- was easily summarized by the term “death panels” to induce major fear among older people.
A couple of sad truths –
1) We will not live forever
2) There finite medical resources
3) Rationing is already taking place, even in the USA. The pay-to-play system sets up a rationing whereby the riches will live and the poorest will die
What does this directly have to do with someone who chooses not to finish their lives in immutable pain? Not much, so please focus and let a patient’s right to die be between themselves, their doctor and their God.
the slippery slope I see is handing the choice to Government and then the Doctor is pressured to execute the death order I know a lot of our elders who work and contribute to this great country Canada
when and who decides when they are no longer worthy of our care and support
patient making the decision do not make me laugh
fh
“What does this directly have to do with someone who chooses not to finish their lives in immutable pain? Not much, so please focus and let a patient’s right to die be between themselves, their doctor and their God.”
OK Cynapse, with those few words of infinite wisdom I agree to cancel out that case of beer you owe me. You are exactly right!