Alzheimer’s and assisted suicide
Here is a link to an important story by Dave Andrusko who discusses a recent Time magazine op-ed by two researchers from the Hastings Center who argue that new tests that may make it possible to detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms of dementia have developed should open up conversations about assisted suicide. Andrusko’s title (“Finding a Justification […]
Communication and Moral Complexity
SSRN lists a new article, Moral Conflict and Complexity: The Dynamics of Constructive Versus Destructive Discussions Over Polarizing Issues. The authors’ abstract, which you can access here, describes the contents as: Moral conflicts, whether over abortion, the death penalty, or the ‘right’ approach to addressing terrorism, pose serious challenges to societies worldwide. They can quickly […]
No euthanasia legislation to be introduced by premier of Victoria, Australia
Premier of Australia’s second largest state, Victoria, has declined a cancer patient’s request that the premier initiate legislation authorizing euthanasia, saying that the issue should be decided at the national level. A bill legalizing euthanasia was defeated in the Victorian Parliment in 2008. The news story can be found here.
Rasouli decision from the Ontario Court of Appeals supports the role of the family in medical decisions
Here is report on the recent Rasouli decision from the Ontario Court of Appeals. http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/ontario-appeals-court-rules-doctors-dont-have-right-to-remove-life-support The court found that doctors didn’t have the right to withdraw medical treatment despite the family’s objection. Here is commentary from the National Right to Life website. http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2011/07/toronto-star-agrees-with-rasouli-decision/#more-2916 Richard M.
Euthanasia and Organ Procurement
Wesley Smith notes the increased acceptance of coupling euthanasia with organ harvesting in his July 4 Weekly Standard article. He notes that Julian Savulescu, a Romanian born Oxford bioethicist, supported this trend in a scholarly paper published in Bioethics. Wesley notes that Belgian doctors and bioethicists have been promoting the idea since at least 2008, […]
“To Live Each Day with Dignity”
This is a quick follow up to my post of June 6, 2011. On June 16, 2011, the US Bishops approved a statement on physician-assisted suicide. Here is the link. http://www.usccb.org/toliveeachday/bishops-statement-physician-assisted-suicide.pdf The statement provides a useful summary of the problems posed by the campaign to legalize assisted suicide. The Bishops advocate “the way of love […]
US Catholic Bishops to discuss a document on assisted suicide
Here is a LifeNews story on a new document opposing assisted suicide that the US Catholic bishops will conider at a meeting in mid-June.http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/01/catholic-bishops-to-vote-on-document-opposing-assisted-suicide/ This is a welcome development. After the major public battles on the issue in the mid-1990s, this issue has to some extent flown under the radar. Richard M.
Jack Kevorkian Dies in Hospital at 83
Here is the LifeNews story on the death of Jack Kevorkian. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/03/assisted-suicide-crusader-jack-kevorkian-dies-in-hospital/ Kevorkian killed more than 100 people through assisted suicide. He was convicted for the killing of Thomas Youk and spent years in prison before being released in 2007. He was a deeply troubled man who was sympathetically treated by the media for many years. Here is […]
Wesley Smith comment on suicide obsession
Here is an interesting item from Wesley Smith entitled “Modern Suicide Obsession a Troubling Sign of Nihilistic Times.” http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/secondhandsmoke/2011/05/23/modern-suicide-obsession-a-troubling-sign-of-nihilistic-times/ Richard M.
Euthanasia case to be heard by Canadian court
Here is a link to the Life News story on the Rasouli case that will be heard by a Canadian court next month. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/04/19/canada-supreme-court-to-hear-key-euthanasia-case-in-may/ The Rasouli case involves an important issue concerning whether doctors need consent before withdrawing life sustaining medical treatment. Richard M.