The New Zealand media have, to date, largely failed to convey the complexity of the euthanasia question in their mostly shallow reporting on this issue says Dr John Kleinsman. He is pleased that the Health Committee Report on the subject noted that complexity. Kleinsman is the Director of The Nathaniel Centre, the Bioethics Research Agency for Read more
“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
“The current law may not be perfect but it provides a clear bright line. Moving the bright line of prohibition would create far more problems than it would ever solve.” This was the conclusion of the oral submission made by Dr John Kleinsman to the Health Select Committee on behalf of the The Nathaniel Centre, Read more
The Nathaniel Centre has produced an 8 minute video, “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: Real Life Implications”. It is designed to stimulate discussion and help viewers appreciate the complexity of the issue by raising questions that are often not explored in the overly simplistic and emotive way that the debate is too often presented by New Zealand media. In the Read more
Christchurch psychologist Dr Mark Ottley, says the best medications, psychological help and palliative care did not always work for patients. Ottley leads psychological pain management services at Southern Rehab. He outlined his views in a submission to the Health Select Committee inquiry into euthanasia legislation. Confusion of Terminology The director of The Nathaniel Centre Dr John Kleinsman Read more
Saying yes to voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide would take New Zealand into dangerous territory, and was open to significant abuse, said Dr John Kleinsman. “The legalisation of voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide is not merely a matter of individual choice and should not be based on high-profile individual tragic cases, such as the Lecretia Read more
In recent weeks a statement of claim has been filed in the High Court seeking a ruling to determine whether a GP can lawfully administer a lethal dose of drugs to a person who is terminally ill. Our bioethics agency, the Nathaniel Centre, is a member of the Care Alliance, which is an alliance of Read more
These days any single mother who decides to keep her baby is a heroine … even a saint. Ironically, for those who identify as Catholic, greater courage may be required. Catholic bioethicist Bernadette Tobin writes: “In order to understand the teachings of the Catholic Church in relation to questions about the beginning of life, we Read more
A coalition, assembled to oppose the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted-suicide in New Zealand, was formally launched last Thursday to at a function at Parliament. The Care Alliance is an umbrella organisation that brings together a wide range of voices from across the palliative, medical, youth, elderly, disability, bioethics and faith sectors who are opposed Read more
“While the decision by Labour MP Maryan Street to withdraw her Euthanasia Bill from the Members Ballot today is welcomed, we understand that it arises from purely political motives – a wish to avoid a controversial debate in an election year – rather than out of concern for the dangerous social consequences of such a Read more