A Dutch euthanasia expert says he’s seen assisted dying in his country go from being seen as a last resort to a “project” to be managed. “I used to be a supporter of [euthanasia] legislation. But now, with twelve years of experience, I take a different view,” says Dr Theo A. Boer. From 2005 to Read more
Medical advancements do not help if they treat people as objects or when they are applied only to those people who are not considered a burden and “deserve” to be helped, Pope Francis said. In addition, euthanasia, which is legal in a number of places, “only seemingly promises to promote personal freedom; in reality it Read more
In October 2014, Ezekiel Emanuel published an essay in the Atlantic called “Why I Hope to Die at 75.” Because Emanuel is a medical doctor and chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s department of medical ethics and health policy, as well as a chief architect of Obamacare, the article stirred enormous controversy. Emanuel vowed to Read more
Please don’t kill me. That was my first reaction to the End of Life Choice Bill that the polls show most of the population agrees with. Of course, although I’m in my mid-sixties, I’m reasonably hale and hearty and surrounded by people I know and love in a warm house by the sea. I am Read more
A man associated with the Coalition New Zealand Party is calling for the Government to introduce involuntary euthanasia for paedophiles who are repeat offenders. Jevan Goulter describes himself as the campaign manager and chief strategist for the Coalition New Zealand Party led by Hannah Tamaki. On his Facebook page, he has posted a link to an Read more
The first hospice to be established in New Zealand, Mary Potter hospice, this week celebrates its 40th anniversary. It was established by the Little Company of Mary to provide free-of-charge palliative care to the people of Wellington, Porirua and Kāpiti. Sister Margaret Lancaster, pictured above, helped establish Mary Potter Hospice 40 years ago. She remains Read more
I am writing to congratulate Members of Parliament who bravely defended the God-given right to life of every member of our community and voted against the End of Life Choice bill (EOLCB). By voting in favour of this bill at the second reading, Parliament has abandoned its commitment to upholding a culture of life and Read more
On Wednesday evening David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill passed the second reading stage by 70 votes to 50; 9 votes more than the 61 votes required. It was a slimmer margin than the one achieved at first reading in December 2017. The vote then was 76 to 44. While the vote appears decisive with Read more
Claire Freeman’s active and carefree life was destroyed at just 17. She was permanently physically disabled in a car crash caused by her mother. It was a moment in time that changed both their lives forever and caused Claire to try to end hers on many occasions. But after decades of difficulties and depression, shes Read more
Doctors have been ordered to resume life support for a quadriplegic Frenchman whose case is central to the right-to-die debate in France. The doctors had stopped the nutrition and hydration Vincent Lambert receives, following an earlier judicial ruling in accordance with the wishes of his wife and other relatives. The new order to resume life Read more