Category Archives: Euthanasia

Tribune columnist Patsy McGarry says he'll go abroad to end it all if he gets Alzheimer's

OUR beloved mother died on June 1 last. She was 92 and wouldve been 93 had she survived until her birthday on August 24. Over recent years she had Alzheimers, a relatively mild form which mainly affected her short-term memory, but she recognised us family up to weeks before she died. Even in those latter, dimmer days, there were regular flashes of recognition.

She had been in a nursing home for three years, since 2018. She would have hated it. Her final two weeks were hell on earth for her and those of us looking on. She was distressed and in great pain, eased by a wonderful staff as far as possible.

None of this was unforeseen either by her or by us. A nurse before she got married, she knew what might be ahead. She had also been a regular visitor to the nursing home, where her own sister had died in 2000, as well as other relatives and friends.

Frequently in conversations afterwards, as she recalled the various conditions of decrepitude of some residents there, she would say to us sure ye wont ever let me go like that. This was not just off-the-cuff wishful thinking on her part. She could see no purpose in prolonging a life where the quality had disappeared, including her own. A down-to-earth no-nonsense woman, she knew what she was saying. So did we.

But, there was nothing we could do about it when it came to the crunch where her own life was concerned, as she and we struggled through those hellish weeks last May with their inevitable conclusion clear to us all long before it happened.

Another resident in that nursing home over recent years was a man we remembered from our childhood as a big, genial presence in every sense of those words whose sons would be of an age with and good friends of ours. For years before his death he sat shrunken into a husk in the nursing home, withered to bone with no awareness and endlessly clapping his two bony hands together.

It was clear that everyone involved with him, his carers and family, were putting in the time awaiting the end if not actually wishing for it where this poor man was concerned. The man I knew as a child would have been outraged had he foreseen his own helplessness, there bereft of all dignity before all and sundry. He would have been deeply humiliated. As difficult for him would be the realisation that his family would witness this day-in, day-out before merciful death stopped by.

Personally, I have no wish to spend my last days a prisoner of Alzheimers and have, like my mother, told family dont ever let me go like that. I know, as Irish law is at the moment, that there is little they will be able to do about that either. So I tell them that at the first hint of the disease, I am off to where I can take care of things myself. And as more and more countries legalise euthanasia my choice just gets greater year after year.

With an increasing number of us developing Alzheimers as we live longer, I doubt I am alone in thinking along these lines. The same applies to people with other incurable diseases. Why should anyone be forced to suffer on, just to accommodate the consciences of those who disagree?

And they are out there as vociferously opposed to euthanasia as they were to contraception, divorce, same sex marriage, abortion. What gives these people a 'right' to insist the rest of us should be obliged by law to live by their beliefs whatever we may believe themselves?

Why cant they be content with living in a country where they are free, without impediment, to live by their own beliefs? No one insists that they live contrary to those beliefs and be forced to use contraceptives, divorce, enter a same sex marriage, or have an abortion.

Why should cervical cancer sufferer Vicky Phelan, now in the final stages of that disease, be forced to suffer on because someone else believes she should? As she said in a weekend Sunday Times interview: Just because you believe something for your own reasons, whether theyre religious or other, you shouldnt be imposing your beliefs on somebody else.

Nobodys allowed to give you a magic injection to make you go any faster and I dont want to be lingering for my kids, she said. She had seen people die and didnt want her children to witness her death rattle.

In Ireland euthanasia is banned by law not the Constitution and that can be changed by decision of the Dail. Vicky Phelan backed the recent unsuccessful Dying with Dignity Bill when it was introduced there. Around since 2015, when it was introduced in the Dail by the independent Waterford TD John Halligan, its latest sponsor was People Before Profit/Solidarity TD Gino Kenny. His Bill sought to make it legal for a medical practitioner to help a terminally ill person to end their life in a dignified and peaceful way.

Last July however the Oireachtas Justice Committee decided that the Bill was unfit for purpose and could not proceed. Committee chairman, Fianna Fil TD James Lawless, said it had serious technical issues in several sections and that it may have unintended policy consequences. A particular concern was that it lacked sufficient safeguards to protect against undue pressure being put on vulnerable people to avail of assisted dying.

It was recommended that a special Oireachtas committee be set up to examine the topic and report within a specific timeframe, as was used in considering abortion legislation. Nothing has happened since so Gino Kenny is planning to table a new Bill next year, titled the End of Life Choice Bill 2022, which he said would address criticisms made of the earlier Bill.

On November 7 last assisted dying became legal in New Zealand following a referendum last year and will apply to people with less than six months to live.

Spanish legislators voted last March to allow doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia for long-term patients with terminal illnesses and for people with unbearable permanent conditions. The law came into force there in June, making Spain the sixth country to legalise euthanasia. Other such countries include Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Canada and Colombia. Since 2016 terminally ill patients in France have the right to continuous deep sedation until death.

Frankly, such is the momentum on this issue, nationally and in Europe, it is only a matter of time before assisted dying is available in Ireland.

Assisted dying refers to both voluntary active euthanasia and physician-assisted death. The difference is in the degree of a doctor's involvement. Voluntary active euthanasia involves the doctor playing an active role in the patient's request to die, usually by supplying an intravenous lethal substance.

Doctor-assisted death implies that the medical personnel provides the patient with the lethal means to end it all themselves, meaning it's the patient who employs them.

Passive euthanasia is when a patient suffering from an incurable disease decides not to apply life-prolonging treatments, such as artificial nutrition or hydration. This is not uncommon already in Ireland, as is the practice of refusing treatment which will only prolong, not cure, a terminal illness.

However it's important not to confuse passive euthanasia with withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in the person's best interests. This latter can be part of palliative care and is not necessarily euthanasia.

So, in the awful eventuality that I might succumb to Alzheimers, it may not now be necessary for me to go abroad to end it all.

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OPINION: Why I'm in favour of euthanasia - Offaly Express

By Catholic News Service Posted November 30, 2021

PARIS (CNS) Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris has offered to step down to avoid becoming a source of divisions, after an article in the Le Point weekly claimed he mismanaged his archdiocese and had an affair with a woman while he was vicar general.

Archbishop Aupetit told Frances Catholic La Croix daily Nov. 26 he awaited an answer from Pope Francis, adding that his behavior toward the unnamed woman may have been ambiguous, but had not extended to an intimate relationship and sexual relations.

Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris celebrates the annual chrism Mass at historic St. Sulpice Church April 17, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Ive put my position in the Holy Fathers hands to preserve the diocese, since I should serve unity as a bishop, the archbishop told La Croix. This is not because of what I should or should not have done in the past, but to avoid division if I myself become a source of division.

In its Nov. 22 report on the archbishops contested methods, Le Point said he had fueled a crisis with a divisive and authoritarian leadership style and had inadvertently revealed his liaison with a woman in a misdirected 2012 email.

The Paris Archdiocese confirmed to Agence France-Presse that there had been no question of a relationship in love or a sexual relationship, adding that Archbishop Aupetits letter to the pope was not an admission of guilt but a gesture of humility.

In a Nov. 27 interview with the archdioceses Radio Notre Dame, Archbishop Aupetit said he had managed the situation badly with a certain person, but had also explained the error to his spiritual adviser and church authorities.

Those who knew me and shared my daily life will testify I did not lead a double life, the archbishop said.

He told Radio Notre Dame he accepted he faced possible rancor for various decisions in the archdiocese, but added that those working with him had been shocked by accusations of negligence in the Le Point report.

Ive found refuge in prayer and the support provided by so many Paris priests, seminarians and faithful, whove brought comfort and enabled me to stay at the helm in the last few days, the archbishop said.

Today, as every day, I place my life in the Lords hands, as Ive done since ordination, hoping he will enable me to continue serving among my brethren.

The Versailles-born archbishop was installed in January 2018 to succeed Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, who retired in December 2017.

Frances La Vie weekly said Nov. 26 the archbishop been praised when appointed, but since had gained a reputation as hard man of the bishops conference for his opposition to liberal legislation on abortion, euthanasia and bioethics, as well as for closing down a progressive Catholic pastoral center in Paris in February.

More here:

Paris archbishop denies report, offers to resign to avoid being divisive - CatholicPhilly.com

Liz Habermann hadnt really thought about voluntary euthanasia before her dying son, Rhys, brought it up.

The 17-year-olds sore hip had turned out to be an aggressive Ewings sarcoma, and it was terminal. Rhys suffered through the unimaginable physical and mental trauma of the disease, and the treatments, until one day he said: Just let me die.

Not long after his 19th birthday, doctors said there was nothing more they could do, that the tumours were rampant throughout his body.

We would often talk about it, Habermann says. In the early days hed asked each of us privately what we thought about euthanasia, about voluntary assisted dying.

It wasnt something Id had to think about. Suicide is a tough subject, regardless of the circumstances.

But we said well support him in whatever decisions he makes. There were times wed come home and go to his door, and wonder what wed find. Or wed message him, with our hearts in our throats, [waiting for the response].

Rhys was in palliative care, with a doctor suggesting more treatment even though there was no hope. Rhys, whom his mother describes as deep, caring and fearless, was horrified at the thought. Now an adult, he checked himself out of hospital, and Habermann drove him home to Wudinna, a small town on South Australias Eyre Peninsula.

In the car, Rhys thanked Habermann for everything shed done.

When Rhys got home, we knew what he was going to do, Habermann says.

He had a final hug with Habermann, his dad, Brett, and brother Lewis, while his other siblings were shielded from that final moment.

Rhys, worried about the impact his death would have on his family, recorded a video saying: I believe in my right to die by my own choosing.

The grieving family still had to suffer through an 18-month police investigation.

Rhys died in 2017. Four years later, Habermann joined the battle to have voluntary assisted dying laws passed in SA. After 30 years, 16 unsuccessful attempts, and a concerted battle by advocates, the laws passed in June.

Now Habermanns picking a different battle shes going to run as an independent in the safe Liberal seat of Flinders as SA heads to a March election.

Shes on the local Wudinna District Council, and people started talking to her about standing at first, in the federal seat of Grey, held by Liberal Rowan Ramsey since 2007.

But she settled on the state seat, a Liberal stronghold. She thinks the region has been taken for granted by governments, and plans to change that by ousting the Liberals the sitting MP, Peter Treloar, is set to be replaced by Sam Telfer at the election.

(The ABC reports that SA senator Rex Patrick may run for Grey, sparking speculation that his former colleague Nick Xenophon could return to politics via the empty Senate spot that would leave.)

She meets regularly with other independents as part of the Voices for community group, which includes Warringah MP Zali Steggall, Indis Helen Haines and her predecessor Cathy McGowan, along with a range of hopefuls challenging Coalition-held seats.

Since the family moved to Wudinna 15 years ago to run a bakery known for its vanilla slices and pasties, Habermann has watched the population decline.

The peninsulas rail network was stopped in 2019 after the state government let the lease end. Getting the trains back on track will be one of Habermanns priorities, to reconnect the vast area with the rest of Australia. That lifeblood will help with everything else, she says, such as getting proper health resources Wudinna recently lost its only GP, who cited a lack of support for his resignation.

Treloar holds Flinders on a margin of almost 30%. The electorate, which stretches from Eyre Peninsula to the Western Australia border, has never been held by Labor.

After Rhyss death, Habermann says, meeting the other VAD advocates such as Labor MP Kyam Maher and journalist Lainie Anderson was one of the silver linings.

When people including Marie Shaw QC encouraged her to go into politics, at first she thought there couldnt be anything worse.

Watching the VAD bill being debated left her frustrated with out-of-touch politicians, but when the bill finally passed, she was elated and filled with hope.

Its something I hope will never benefit me, and obviously its too late for Rhys, but so many people will benefit from knowing they have a choice now, she says.

There were so many people involved. When it got passed, it was exciting its exciting that you can actually make change.

If you need help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or call 000 in an emergency

Link:

Silver linings: how a grieving mothers fight for voluntary assisted dying in SA inspired a political pursuit - The Guardian

Gone are the days when education was just a privilege of the elite. Ignorance thrived as the doors to knowledge were kept shut by those who feared an educated public setting. Today, access to information is being treated as a constitutionally protected fundamental right across the globe and is associated with the universal freedom of speech and expression. Education is a vital tool to gain information about the world, and Higher Education sets the bar high for those who become a part of it.

Segregation and/or exclusion has been a historical fact, and in many parts of the world, it still persists. In conservative nations, women and LGBTQs are denied access to education let alone higher education. This causes higher education to be highly monochromatic when it should be colorful. Everyone is entitled to participate in the development of society through higher education and diversity remains an indispensable tool for the same.

In this article, I would give you a glimpse into the benefits of diversity in higher education. We must understand that the graduates of higher education go on to build and re-build human societies, and a better representation is achieved through healthy diversity.

An Opportunity to step outside the bubbleUnfortunately, segregation is often indoctrinated since early childhood. Conservative parents forbid their children from associating with certain kinds of people they consider a bad influence. As a result of this, children do not get the right room to acquaint themselves with the different identities of humankind. In universities, parental control is limited and the child is free to explore and learn. You will get many chances to get to know those people you were told were different from you. For example, you cannot understand the problems faced by the African American community unless you actually get down to deal with them personally. Universities, therefore, offer a fertile ground to socialize and burst the bubble.

Improved cognitive abilitiesStudies show that those amenable to interacting with people from culturally varied backgrounds have better cognitive abilities. Once you are put in touch with racially and culturally different people, your mind is bombarded with new information. In a university setting, you are anyway part of a bigger discourse where information keeps coming in and going out. For example, there are differing views on euthanasia across different cultures. Those who come from backgrounds where life is sacred and absolutely inviolable would be most likely hesitant about the legalisation of euthanasia. These differences will encourage you to investigate from myriad perspectives which will ultimately improve your analytical skills.

Learn better communication skillsI think it is quite understandable why diversity in universities encourages better communication skills. Let us understand with the help of an example. Let us say you have been assigned to work on a project with a Japanese exchange student. You are from Canada which, in contrast to Japan, does not have many social protocols to observe. When you are working with the exchange student, you cannot be reckless and go about being disrespectful of his social and personal space. The Japanese culture has layers of formalities before they cozy up to you; simply, they are reserved. So, you will inevitably end up tweaking your conversational habits so that there is a balance. Hence, the more you handle diversity, the more diverse your communication skills will be.

Well-equipped to handle workforceThere will come a day when you leave the university and join the workforce. Workforces are largely diverse. You may have your own reservations about certain cultures or people but that will never be considered a proper reason at your workplace. You have to be a team player and must not cherry-pick on who you want to work with. Things would be easier if you take advantage of the diversity at university, interact with all kinds of people, shatter your own stereotypes, and start knowing how the world works. Once you have had enough experience with a good range of people, you will find yourself highly amenable to working in diverse workplaces with fewer or no adjustment issues. So, if you want to have a thriving career, then you will have to tap on the diversity offered at higher education.

Track Latest News Live on CEOWORLD magazine and get news updates from the United States and around the world. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the CEOWORLD magazine. Follow CEOWORLD magazine on Twitter andFacebook. For media queries, please contact: info@ceoworld.biz

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On the Relevance of Diversity in Higher Education - CEOWORLD magazine

Reading Time: 3 minutesArchbishop Anthony Fisher OP addresses the protest rally which marched to Parliament House on 18 November to urge MPs not to legalise euthanasia. Photo: Giovanni Portelli

Russell Crowes 2014 film, The Water Diviner, tells the true story of an Australian farmer who travelled to Gallipoli after World War I to search for his three sons, all soldiers with the Australian forces and all reported missing in action.

Spoiler alert: towards the end the father finds his eldest son, Arthur, still alive. Art tells his dad that after being wounded by the Turks his younger brother Henry bled out painfully for hours, until Art shot him dead at his request. Arts anguish is evident and his action is portrayed sympathetically.

From the next world war comes the true story of two more Australian brothers, who enlisted together and fought side-by-side on the Kokoda Track in 1942. After Butch Bisset was severely wounded by Japanese gunfire, the platoon doctor could do nothing more than give him morphine. So Stan held him in his arms for six hours until he died.

They sat, laughing, crying and remembering the good times of their childhood, the trouble they got up to as kids, and the times they played rugby together. Butch faded in and out of consciousness, and the two shared one last song as Butch breathed his last.

Two different brotherly responses to human suffering, both motivated by mercy, both attracting our sympathy. The first says that in the end its better to kill someone than let them suffer, especially if they ask for it. The second resists killing the suffering person but gives them love and care to the end.

The VAD debate brings these two approaches into stark relief.

Euthanasia advocates tell heartrending stories to point in one clear direction. Euthanasia opponents tend to argue from moral principles and social consequences. The two sides end up talking past each other.

But these two stories, placed side by side, acknowledge that these are genuinely complex matters that leave us conflicted.

The story of the Bisset brothers does not deny the realities of physical, psychological and existential suffering: but it reveals that such suffering cannot diminish the intrinsic value of life.

It does not deny the importance of personal freedom: but not all choices are equally responsible or worthy.

It is not lacking in compassion: its just that the response to suffering is a non-lethal one. Its a position that seems to ask a lot of peopleof those who are suffering, those caring for them, and the surrounding community.

New South Wales stands on a precipice. How to decide?

One answer is that we must never play God or infringe the commandment not to kill. Some respond that I dont believe in your god or his rules. Some say religious believers and beliefs should stay out of this.

But the view that human beings are special and their lives inviolable is no monopoly of believers. Its common to international human rights instruments and most legal systems, to the pre-Christian Hippocratic Oath and the post-modern codes of medical associations. You dont have to be religious to insist on the dignity of every human being and the clear line against intentional killing.

But the view that human beings are special and their lives inviolable is no monopoly of believers. Its common to international human rights instruments and most legal systems, to the pre-Christian Hippocratic Oath and the post-modern codes of medical associations.

Many MPs agree, saying euthanasia is against their principles or beliefs, but that they are unwilling to impose these on others (despite the fact that those who do agree are willing to impose their views on others!). So they substitute their own judgment with a count of how many emails theyve received.

Though their first duty is to protect the vulnerable and preserve the common good, they go with the emotional flow generated by stories of bad deaths without palliative care. But as the old saying goes, hard cases make bad law.

In the name of God and humanity: pull back from this precipice NSW!

This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 25 November 2021

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NSW: pull back from euthanasia's precipice! - The Catholic Weekly

Euthanasia and the attendant preparations require "human closeness," which is a prerequisite and breeding ground for coronavirus transmission, according to a statement made by the group. As numerous European countries proceeded to impose new limitations aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19, the German Euthanasia Association (Verein Sterbehilfe) declared that it will now only help those who have been vaccinated or recovered from the disease. The Euthanasia Association said in a statement put on its website that both euthanasia and the preparatory study of the voluntary responsibility of our members wanting to die requires human closeness.

The statement read, "human closeness, however, is a prerequisite and breeding ground for coronavirus transmission. As of today, the 2G rule applies in our association, supplemented by situation-related measures, such as quick tests before encounters in closed rooms."

Germany's actingchancellor Angela Merkel and the country's 16 state premiers, last week, agreed on several measures to combat the pandemic. The leaders emphasised the importance ofCOVID-19 vaccination for all hospital and nursing care personnel. They also decided to impose "2G" limitations on the unvaccinated in areas where a particular hospitalisation rate is exceeded. "2G" refers to a system that only allows geimpft oder genesen(vaccinated or recovered) free movement for leisure activities.

According to DW, talking about the "very worrying" situation, chancellor Merkel stated, "It is absolutely time to act."Germany's vaccination rate is approximately 68%, and it's considerably lower in the country's eastern and southern regions, where infection and hospitalisation rates are at all-time highs. In Germany, thehospitalisation rates have become the new bar for enacting tighter regulations; if more than three people per 100,000 are hospitalised with COVID in a specific location, the 2G rule will apply to all public leisure activities in that state.

A COVID test result of six per 100,000 will necessitate an extra negative COVID test ("2G+"). Additional safeguards, such as contact limitations, will be introduced after the value reaches nine. Except for Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saarland, all German states are currently over the figure of three. Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia have a value greater than nine. The states of Saxony and Bavaria have enforced 2G limitations earlier this month in response to the rising numbers.

The 16 states of Germany will be permitted to keep and add protective measures. This includes restricting or preventing recreational, cultural, and sporting events, as well as banning admission to healthcare facilities and prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol in public places. Universities may also be closed. School closures, blanket travel restrictions, or obligatory vaccination will not be implemented. Forgers of coronavirus documents and certificates will face harsh penalties of up to five years in prison under the new legislation.

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Germany: Euthanasia Association to only help vaccinated amid rising number of COVID cases - Republic World

Marche the first region in Italy to authorize euthanasia

However, there is still a lack of legally-defined procedure for assisted suicides

The ethics committee of the Marche Region health authority became the first institution in Italy to grant the right to euthanasia to a claimant, who is represented by a right-to-die activist organization. Although the Italian Constitutional Court ruled out already in 2019 that assisted suicide is lawful in some cases, there has not been a corresponding initiative from the countrys parliament to adopt corresponding legislation.

Thus, people such as the unnamed claimant (referred to as Mario), who has been living for 11 years paralyzed from the neck down after a car accident, have been living in a legal limbo adding to their physical and mental suffering.

The Marche authority granted the request from Mario following two legal petitions, filed on his behalf by the Luca Coscioni Association, an NPO campaigning for the right to euthanasia to be legalized in the country.

"After the Constitutional Court effectively legalized assisted suicide, no ill person has been able to benefit from it, as the national health service hid behind the lack of a law that sets the procedure," explained Marco Cappato, Treasurer of the activist NPO, quoted by ANSA news agency. "Mario is going ahead anyway thanks to the courts and highlighting the buck-passing that is taking place (in the process). What is lacking now is the definition of the process to administer the euthanasia medicine.

In Mr Cappatos opinion, the responsibility for this administrative debacle lies squarely with the passivity of the Italian Parliament, which has been reluctant to propose a draft bill for debate and voting in the chamber. The controversial and hot issue is one that most institutions in the still traditionally Catholic country are not too keen on dealing with decisively.

Yet there is a growing demand for a law to materialize. Over a million people had already signed a petition, spearheaded by the Luca Coscioni Association, asking for a referendum on legalizing euthanasia. That means that the Constitutional Court is already looking into it since the minimum requirement for petitions is 500, 000 signatures.

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Marche the first region in Italy to authorize euthanasia - TheMayor.EU

During the XVII National Meeting of Transplant Coordinators and Communication Professionals, taking place in Zaragoza, Beatriz Dominguez-Gil, general director of the ONT made an announcement.

The National Transplant Organization (ONT) is developing a protocol at state level to specify the donation of organs from people who want euthanasia. In fact, eight have already contacted us to donate their organs after euthanasia, and two have already donated their organs, which has made it possible to carry out six transplants, Ms Dominguez-Gil informed the meeting.

These six transplants were carried out on five people, who received six organs, since one of the recipients required a double lung transplant.

As the director-general emphasised, euthanasia is compatible with organ donation. In fact, in Spain, there are more than 100 hospitals with heart donations. However, as long as the death is programmed in the hospital, and knowing that the person can change his or her mind at any time, the doctor pointed out.

Spain follows in the footsteps of other countries that already have a protocol and experience in this matter, Belgium has already had 50 donors who received euthanasia since 2011, Canada more than 100 since 2017, and the Netherlands more than 80 since 2012, pointed out Dominguez-Gil.

It was also announced that 120 transplants have already been carried out from 47 donors who had previously recovered from Covid, of which three had a positive PCR. It has not been shown in scientific literature that the virus is transmitted through the blood, and we have evidence that it has not happened, said Mario Fernandez-Ruiz, from the Infectious Diseases Unit of the Hospital Universitario del 12 de Octubre, in Madrid.

Adding that, today it has not been possible to grow viruses in blood samples from patients with Covid.On the other hand, the positivity of the PCR in the respiratory tract does not imply the presence of any viable virus. PCR is a diagnostic test so we can detect remains of what is no longer there: the fingerprint, hence, the longer the time elapsed, the lower the risk.

It was stressed that although lungs from donors who had undergone Covid have been transplanted in Spain, in no case were they ever from donors with positive PCR.

Ms Dominguez-Gil finished off by explaining that in the first ten months of 2021, donation activity has grown by 6 per cent compared to the first ten months of 2020, that of transplants by 7 per cent. This figure is still far from data recorded in 2019, which was a record year, but it does show a progressive recovery, but I am very hopeful, among other things, because we are returning to lines of work such as donating by people who receive help to die, as reported by larazon.es.

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Two euthanasia patients in Spain donated their organs - Euro Weekly News

Families now have the option in some places to have pet hospice and in-home euthanasia for their dogs and cats.

GREENSBORO, N.C. The way pets are cared for is continuously changing. We now have things like pet insurance, doggy daycare, pupcakes and even pet hospice.

Blue Pearl Specialty + Emergency Hospital has expanded this type of palliative care across the nation and hopes to transform the way we say goodbye to our furry loved ones.

Most families that chose to do pet hospice have a dog or cat that is given a terminal diagnosis or a disease that can significantly impact their quality of life.

Here's how it works... A veterinarian is assigned to you. They come to your home and put a plan in place to help your pet live out their final days or months in the most comfortable and peaceful way possible.

As those days continue on, you have access to a nurse 7 days a week. On their final day, you have the option to do in-home euthanasia.

Audra Pompeani, veterinarian, said more people are shifting away from the 'old way' of saying goodbye to their pets. She said less pet owners want to drop of their dogs or cats at the vet and let them take care of it.

"They sleep in the bed with us at night and some people's pets eat at the table with them at dinner like that's not our relationship anymore :49 and we have pets because they enrich our lives and we want to give that back to them right," Pompeani said.

Pet hospice also puts an emphasis on supporting the families during this time. If you're a pet owner, you now how difficult losing a pet can be.

"We want their passing to be dignified. We want the end of their life to be as peaceful and as happy for them for the rest of their life was," Pompeani said.

Pet hospice is happening in part due to Congress passing the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014 which allows vets to take controlled substances out of their offices and provide services at people's homes.

Read more:

'We want their passing to be dignified' | More veterinarians offering pet hospice - WFMYNews2.com

Euthanasia and suicide

There are several Hindu points of view on euthanasia.

Most Hindus would say that a doctor should not accept a patient's request for euthanasia since this will cause the soul and body to be separated at an unnatural time. The result will damage the karma of both doctor and patient.

Other Hindus believe that euthanasia cannot be allowed because it breaches the teaching of ahimsa (doing no harm).

However, some Hindus say that by helping to end a painful life a person is performing a good deed and so fulfilling their moral obligations.

Hinduism is less interested than western philosophers in abstract ideas of right or wrong. Rather it focuses on the consequences of our actions.

For Hindus, culture and faith are inextricable. So although many moral decisions taken by Hindus seem more influenced by their particular culture than by the ideas of their faith, this distinction may not be as clear as it seems.

Karma: Hindus believe in the reincarnation of the soul (or atman) through many lives - not necessarily all human. The ultimate aim of life is to achieve moksha, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

A soul's next life is decided by karma, as the consequence of its own good or bad actions in previous lives. You could regard a soul's karma as somehow representing the net worth of its good and bad actions.

A soul cannot achieve moksha without good karma.

Non-violence: Another important principle is ahimsa, not being violent or causing harm to other beings.

Dharma: Hindus live their lives according to their dharma - their moral duties and responsibilities.

The dharma requires a Hindu to take care of the older members of their community.

Killing (euthanasia, murder, suicide) interferes with the killed soul's progress towards liberation. It also brings bad karma to the killer, because of the violation of the principle of non-violence.

When the soul is reincarnated in another physical body it will suffer as it did before because the same karma is still present.

Death: The doctrine of karma means that a Hindu tries to get their life in a good state before they die, making sure that there is no unfinished business, or unhappinesses. They try to enter the state of a sannyasin - one who has renounced everything.

The ideal death is a conscious death, and this means that palliative treatments will be a problem if they reduce mental alertness.

The state of mind that leads a person to choose euthanasia may affect the process of reincarnation, since one's final thoughts are relevant to the process.

There are two Hindu views on euthanasia:

Prayopavesa, or fasting to death, is an acceptable way for a Hindu to end their life in certain circumstances.

Prayopavesa is very different from what most people mean by suicide:

Prayopavesa is only for people who are fulfilled, who have no desire or ambition left, and no responsibilities remaining in this life. It is really only suitable for elderly ascetics.

Hindu law lays down conditions for prayopavesa:

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, a Hindu leader born in California, took his own life by prayopavesa in November 2001.

After finding that he had untreatable intestinal cancer the Satguru meditated for several days and then announced that he would accept pain-killing treatment only and would undertake prayopavesa - taking water, but no food.

He died on the 32nd day of his self-imposed fast.

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BBC - Religions - Hinduism: Euthanasia, assisted dying and ...