St. Thomas & District Right to Life, St. Thomas, Ontario, 519-633-LIFE, stthomas@respectforlife.ca

Euthanasia is defined as the intentional and active killing of a patient by the direct intervention of a doctor or other party. It is an issue we cannot ignore, for the proponents of euthanasia, doctor assisted suicide, and mercy killing are actively trying to legalize and make socially acceptable these practices. Even the last federal Liberal Party policy convention voted to adopt a policy favouring assisted suicide.

Remember, euthanasia does not refer to the rights we've always had under "common law", including the patient's right to refuse treatment, the patient's right to order treatment to be discontinued, the doctor's right to abstain from futile or meaningless treatment, giving drugs in doses adequate for pain relief, and the withdrawal of treatment when it no longer serves any therapeutic purpose.

What is Assisted Suicide?
Assisted Suicide seems to be the one "right" that is being reserved only for the sick. The young and healthy are sent for counselling if they talk of suicide ... why the difference? Are the lives of the chronically, terminally ill and the disabled worth less than "normal" lives? Are they becoming too much of a burden, that some advocate or sympathize with assisited suicide, and then ease their conscience by calling it "death with dignity"? How enlightening! By trying to bestow dignity on the sick and dying simply by injecting them with a toxic substance?? A society is best judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. With palliative care, a proper use of medication, and with love, compassion, and support, we need to care for one another until natural death.

The history of euthanasia in Canada
In 1994, the federal government appointed a special Senate Committee to study the issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide, currently prohibited by law in Canada. In the report, released June 6, 1995, the majority of Senators were opposed to the legalization of either practice. Their emphasis on palliative care is to be commended and is most encouraging.

The Senators were, however, unanimous in recommending that the Criminal Code be amended to give terminally ill patients or their surrogates the absolute right to insist that doctors withhold or withdraw life-support treatment. Canadian courts and medical ethics have consistently upheld the right of a mentally competent person to refuse any medical treatment. It is our view that government policy should strive to educate all Canadians as to their rights instead of placing the onus on crminal law and judicial interpretation.

Also of concern is the recommendation that judges be given discretion to mete out more lenient sentences to those who commit these offenses. It is significant to note that the practice of euthanasia in Holland, now legal, began with the justice system turning a blind eye to the practice. What began in Holland as "treatment" for the terminally ill has rapidly progressed to widespread involuntary euthanasia.

We must remember the importance of compassionate palliative care, support for the suffering, the promotion of the inherent value of all human life. The "quality" of life should never be used to determine the value of life.

So think objectively about assisted suicide, euthanasia, and the consequences of any changes to current legislation.

What can you do?
Respect those who are disabled. Treat the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable with dignity.

A visit, phone call, or cheerful note means a lot.

Support palliative care programs. Become a voice for the vulnerable, to your community, politicians, students, and the media.

Become better informed. Visit your local Right to Life office and borrow videos, books, pamphlets, and other materials.

Become a member of Right to Life, which will keep you up-to-date on these issues. We might not always know the right answer, but we know the wrong one: killing!

Thoughts of others on Euthanasia
Our society can well afford to provide food, water, care, and comfort to physically disabled and dying patients - we cannot afford to turn our medical doctors into licensed killers of the sick, the handicapped, and the depressed.
Rory Leishman

In its darkest terms, euthanasia is hostility disguised as compassion towards the disabled and the chronically and terminally ill.
Mark Pickup, afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis

Do you think it's dignified to hang from wood with nails through your hands and feet, dying? Had Christ died in my van, with the people around him who loved him, it would have been far more dignified.
Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who had helped dozens of people commit suicide, here speaking about the death of Jesus Christ

All that is required for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing!"
E. Burke