“These polls rely on one or two very simple questions and, on a sensitive issue such as euthanasia, give people very little time or information to consider the issue in depth,” said Dr John Kleinsman. The director of the New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre was commenting on a recent survey prepared for the Voluntary Euthanasia Society Read more
Analysis of 21,277 submissions to the Health Select Committee’s investigation into end of life issues shows that 16,411 opposed the legalisation of euthanasia, while 4,142 supported legalisation. Matthew Jansen, Secretary of the Care Alliance, said the submissions reflect the depth and breadth of public attitudes about euthanasia. The Health Select Committee investigation began in response Read more
The pro-euthanasia case is compact and quick and easy to make: It focuses on a terminally ill, seriously suffering, competent adult who gives informed consent to euthanasia and bases its claims to prevail on the obligation to respect that person’s right to autonomy and self-determination and dignity. The case against euthanasia is more complex and Read more
Christchurch Transitional Cathedral and Theology House have announced they will co-host a public theology forum on the benefits and pitfalls of legalising euthanasia in Aotearoa New Zealand. The debate will take place at the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square, running from 9.30am – 2.30pm on Saturday 1 April, and will feature four speakers for and Read more
The internationally renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl experienced first hand the utter depravity of Auschwitz and Dachau. He knew the immense physical torment, psychological torture and spiritual desolation of those most inhuman of places. They were not called death camps for figurative effect. Suicide was not unknown among those sent there to suffer Read more
Right to Life has commended Labour leader Andrew Little for once again confirming that Labour will not be introducing a private members bill on Euthanasia. In letter to the secretary of Right to Life written in December last year Little said, “Labour’s position is to support the cross-party select committee inquiry”. “Euthanasia is a conscience Read more
Voluntary euthanasia would be fraught with problems and New Zealand doesn’t need it, doctors have told a select committee. The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMAA) made the comments at the second day of the Health Select Committee’s hearings. The association said it backed patient autonomy, but sizeable complexities were involved in determining whether patients had Read more
Sir Geoffrey, a former prime minister and well respected lawyer has suggested family court judges rather than doctors should make any final decision when it come to ending a person’s life. However, ACT Party leader David Seymour said there was no need for its inclusion in his bill to legalise assisted suicide. The bill is Read more
Right to Life is opposed to the law being changed to allow doctors to kill their patients or assist in their suicide. Right to Life is a “whole of life” pro-life organisation, meaning we seek to uphold the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death. The United Nations Declaration of Human Read more
The select committee inquiry into public attitudes to assisted dying has received 21,435 written submissions, and they are running three to one against the assistance to die. Dr Jane Silloway Smith, Director of Every Life Research Unit has been analysing submissions made to the Health Select Committee’s investigation into ending one’s life in New Zealand. She Read more