Daily Archives: April 7, 2017

Although Dutch government proposals for euthanasia for completed life that is, for elderly people who want to step off the treadmill gracefully have received a lot of publicity, they have not been legislated.

Now the Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG), the peak body for doctors in the Netherlands, has announced its opposition. Such a radical proposal is not desirable for practical reasons and for reasons of principle," says the KNMG.

Adding another law to govern the practice of euthanasia will lead to great complications, it contends. The current Act is meticulous, transparent, verifiable, safe for patients and physicians, and has broad support.

The governments proposal could harm the elderly. Vulnerability due to age, when people experience many medical and non-medical problems, can cause unbearable and hopeless suffering within the meaning of the legislation. It could end up stigmatising the elderly.

The KNMG points out that the term "completed life" has an attractive ring to it for the public.In practice, however, it will mainly be vulnerable people who experience loneliness and loss of meaning.These are complex and tragic problems for which no simple solutions.

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Dutch doctors oppose plans for 'completed life' euthanasia - BioEdge

Toronto Sun

Fatal flaw in Ontario's euthanasia bill | GUEST COLUMN ... Toronto Sun Bill 84 is the Ontario government's proposed legislation designed to implement Ottawa's law on medically assisted dying. and more »

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Fatal flaw in Ontario's euthanasia bill | GUEST COLUMN ... - Toronto Sun

But Mr Seymour says in Parliament, it's a different story.

"I think at least a third are definitely on for it. Maybe a fifth are hardcore opposed for personal or spiritual or whatever reasons. There's a mushy middle in there I think we would get. We would get it through the first reading."

He'd have Paula Bennett's vote, the Deputy Prime Minister telling The AM Show she's leaning in favour - but would like to analyse the details, to ensure no one would be "coerced" into it.

Labour deputy Jacinda Ardern, also on The AM Show, said she would vote for it.

"The select committee was a good way to try and get MPs from across the House to work up some ideas and ways forward."

Mr Seymour's Bill wouldn't be the first on euthanasia Parliament has debated. In 1995, then-National Party MP Michael Laws had his Death with Dignity Bill drawn. It failed 29-61. In 2003, a similar Bill submitted by a New Zealand First MP failed 58-59.

Former Labour MP Maryan Street's End of Life Choice Bill was withdrawn from the ballot before it was drawn. Mr Seymour praised her efforts, and said he won't be backing down.

"I'm gonna keep my Bill in there as long as I'm a Member of Parliament because you can't lose forever."

The advantage he thinks his Bill has over what's come before is that it is very tight - patients need, among other things, two doctors' sign-off, be over 18, have a terminal illness or degenerative condition, and jump through various bureaucratic hoops. All cases are also reported back to Parliament.

"You can't walk into a hospital and do this by accident," he says.

Newshub.

The rest is here:

Seymour keeping up the fight for euthanasia - Newshub

Animals at risk of euthanasia after Sapulpa shelter runs out of room (KTUL)

The Sapulpa Animal Shelter needs families to adopt its pets.

The shelter only has the capacity to hold eight animals. Right now, they're at 22 and counting. They've even started putting animals in the laundry room.

"We don't want to keep them here," Animal Control Officer Christa Kaler said. "Honestly, if Sapulpa didn't have a shelter, that would be wonderful, and I think many cities would agree."

Kaler says they have had to put multiple dogs in one kennel, which they don't like doing. If they can't get families to adopt or foster the animals, Kaler says they'll have to start euthanizing them.

But first, they'll reach out to rescues, veterinarians and other shelters.

"If we have to make that decision, we have done everything possible we can think of to get that animal out of here," Kaler said.

Sometimes, no one wants a dog because of its breed or age. In other cases, alternative shelters are too full, or the dog doesn't do well with other animals or people.

"Honestly, no shelter likes to euthanize, no rescue, no veterinarian," Kaler said. "These animals, they need a second chance."

The shelter is pleading for families to take in one of the dogs, even just for a few weeks, like Candace Leslie is doing.

"Sapulpa Furry Friends put out an ad saying they really needed fosters because the shelter is full, and they were going to have to start making decisions on what dogs were going to be able to stay or not," Leslie said. "I just decided to help out and watch this one until she goes to a rescue in two weeks."

Leslie is a first-time foster mom. She said her first two dogs were rescues.

"Instead of adopting a dog, I've decided to start fostering so that we can help dogs get in and out of the shelters and make room for others," Leslie said.

All of the animals are vaccinated and spayed or neutered before being adopted out. Adoptions are $60 for dogs and $50 for cats.

The rest is here:

Animals at risk of euthanasia after Sapulpa shelter runs out of room ... - KTUL

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) New numbers from Jerome Police Department show good news for the animal shelter.

In February, the Jerome shelter didn't have to euthanize any animals.

They told us this is due to hard work, luck and knowing the right people and rescues.

The shelter tries to adopt out or transfer animals for which it doesn't have room.

That keeps them from having to euthanize for space.

The euthanasia they're forced to do usually comes from abused animals that they don't anticipate recovering.

"It is really sad, said Heather Kimble, the shelter tech coordinator, because it's not the dog's fault. You get angry. You get sad. And all those emotions that you have to deal with. Fortunately we don't have to do that very often, but that's the reality of life."

If you're interested in helping, the shelter said you can adopt, don't shop for pets.

They also say if you can no longer care for an animal, you should drop them off at a shelter instead of leaving them in the street.

Originally posted here:

Jerome Animal Shelter eliminates euthanasia in February - KMVT - KMVT

Respect for life: CultureWatchs Bill Muehlenberg, Cherish Life Queensland president Julie Borger and HOPE: No Euthanasias Paul Russell at the forum at the Queensland Parliamentary Annex in Brisbane.

THE euthanasia debate is full of horror stories, the author of a new book on the subject Bill Muehlenberg says.

Mr Muehlenberg said people could learn from abuses that have occurred elsewhere in the world where euthanasia was legalised, including Holland and Belgium.

Speaking at a forum at the Queensland Parliamentary Annex in Brisbane, promoting his new book The Challenge of Euthanasia, he described the slippery slope.

The event was live-streamed to members of 14 Cherish Life branches across Queensland.

Consider the Remmelink Report, an official Dutch government survey of euthanasia practices, found that more than one thousand patients are involuntarily euthanised each year, Mr Muehlenberg, from CultureWatch, said.

As one Oxford philosopher put it, the Dutch experience clearly shows that even with stringent safeguards, once voluntary euthanasia is legalised the descent down the slippery slope is inevitable.

Mr Muehlenbergs new book contains Australian statistics and an easy-to-read understanding of the issues.

When you have legalised euthanasia the relationship between patient and doctor weakens, he said.

Instead of trust, fear creeps in, when you dont know whether your doctor is there to keep you alive or in fact help to kill you.

The most vulnerable will be at risk. It certainly sends out a wrong message about what medicine is all about.

The Brisbane event, hosted by Cherish Life Queensland, also featured Paul Russell, from HOPE: No Euthanasia Australias only full-time single-purpose organisation on euthanasia.

Referring to Australias media, with its emphasis on sensationalist reporting, Mr Russell said a defence of the right to life always took longer than a few sound bites or a short article.

However he said it was important for his organisation, and others explaining the case against euthanasia, to increase the literacy in our community on this issue.

Mr Russell said polling showed support for euthanasia running at about 85 per cent.

It really shows about 15 per cent of our population understand the ethical problems of euthanasia, he said.

The biggest problem I have is that euthanasia is killing.

Assisted suicide is helping someone to commit suicide.

Originally posted here:

Legalised euthanasia is a 'slippery slope' for the vulnerable, Bill Muehlenberg says - Catholic Leader