Category Archives: Euthanasia

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

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

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.

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

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.

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Seymour keeping up the fight for euthanasia - Newshub

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

THE Pinetown community is calling for two pit bulls that savagely attacked and killed two Jack Russells last week to be euthanised.

Jethro McNamee said his three Jack Russells, Jack, Jill and their baby, AB, lived at his girlfriends home in Balfour Road in Pinetown for the last year. He dropped them off every morning before going to work. His girlfriend, Natasha Clerk, also has a Jack Russell named Duke.

Jill, Jack and AB as a family.

However, on Friday, 31 March their world was shattered when two ferocious pit bulls forced their way into the fenced-off property and front gate at his girlfriends home and attacked two of the four Jack Russells.

The attack set off the security alarm and Blue Security arrived at the house and informed the owners about a dog attack in progress. The reaction officers fired three shots into the air to get the pit bulls off the premises. The police and community watch members were also alerted.

When McNamee arrived at the property, he found his male dog, Jack, unable to move due to the massive wounds on his neck. The female dog, Jill, was found dead a short distance away from Jack.

Jills stomach was ripped open and her intestines were hanging out. There was also a huge chunk of her neck that had been bitten off. The other two dogs, Duke and AB were missing at the time.

Jill was was fatally killed when the pitbulls attacked her. Her stomach was ripped open and her intestines hanging out. She also had a chunk of her neck bitten into.

McNamee said he called for the third dog, AB, and he came running out from the bushes on the other side of the property where he had been hiding. Duke reportedly ran out the gate when Blue Security arrived.

I tried to give Jack some water but he wouldnt drink. A community member, Russel Mallory, helped me by driving Jack and I to the Kloof and Highway SPCA for emergency treatment for Jack but staff said his wounds were too extensive for them to treat so instead they stabilised him and we took him to Everton Veterinary Clinic, said McNamee.

He left Jack in their care and went to look for Duke, but three hours later received a call to say Jack had gone into a coma and stopped breathing.

Jack has massive wounds to his neck. He went into a coma and stopped breathing. Dr Evans at the Everton Vet said he had died due to haemorrhaging.

McNamee went to fetch Jacks body and the veterinarian, Dr Evans, told him the damage to Jacks spine would have left him paralysed and Jack died due to the haemorrhaging.

I took Jack home and my father and I buried Jack and Jill together. They died protecting AB and Duke, who were the younger pets, said McNamee.

The pitbulls were removed from the owner, Abel Khumalos property and taken to the Kloof and Highway SPCA. Khumalo was away in Pretoria at the time.

The community has called for the dogs to be euthanised as this is not the first time the dogs escaped from their yard. Some community members said they were petrified to walk past the property due to the violent nature of the dogs and the gate left open at times. Theres also a Rottweiler on the premises.

Kumalo shares a fence with Pinetown Boys High School. The school gate is next to his gate where the dogs ran out. Jethro said he spoke to the owner on Sunday who is determined to get his dogs back.

However, inspectors at the Kloof and Highway SPCA told Jethro that they will investigate the premises but can not force Khumalo to relocate his dogs if the yard is safe for the animals. They also said they can not force the owner to euthanise the dogs. However, the inspectors did say they were concerned about the community attacking the dogs.

Community members threatened to shoot the dogs if they see it in the community again.

Personally, I dont want to see those dogs again either because I still have two dogs on my girlfriends property. Those pitbulls have tasted blood now and I have no guarantee that they wont attack again, said Jethro.

Jethro filed a charge for keeping a ferocious animal against Khumalo at the Pinetown SAPS on the same day as per advice given to him by a Metro Police officer, Sean Jooste.

My dogs were my family. They were on the property for a year and this is the first time weve had any dog enter the property, said Jethro.

SPCA responds Barbara Patrick, manager of the Kloof and Highway SPCA, confirmed that the pitbull dogs are currently at the Kloof and Highway SPCA and they have not been contacted by the owners as yet with regards to taking their dogs home.

However, Barbara did speak to the owner, his two children and a member of the community and gave them advice on Friday.

Each and every case is dealt with and there is no specific protocol used for dog attacks, said Patrick.

Khumalo was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

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GRAPHIC IMAGES: Pinetown community calls for euthanasia of killer pit bulls - Highway Mail

STACEY KIRK

Last updated15:45, April 5 2017

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There are strong arguments and emotions on both sides of the euthanasia debate.

It's not uncommon for a distraught a pet owner, standing by Rover as he's put down in a veterinary clinic, to lament "I wish we could have done this to Grandma," MPs investigating euthanasia have been told.

Parliament's Health Select Committee is nearing the end of its inquiry into euthanasia, and its MPs requested for specific evidence to be given on the mechanics of the process by leading veterinarians and an anaesthetist.

While they hadsat through months of public submission hearings on the moral, legal and ethical points around euthanasia, little evidence had been given on the process itselfand what it felt like for the clinician performing it.

David Unwin/Fairfax NZ

MPs were told in committee today, that very few vets would opt to prolong an animals suffering, even though it's the thought of saving animals' lives that drew them to the profession.

Dean of Massey University's Veterinary School Jenny Weston said it was difficult to draw too many parallels between animals and humans, but few vets would prefer to prolong suffering rather than put an animal down.

READ MORE: *Euthanasia may be answer to incurable pain, says pain expert *Susan Austen in court on euthanasia drug charges *Charges laid over importing euthanasia drug *Both sides of the euthanasia debate *Explainer: euthanasiadebate

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Wellington lawyer Lecretia Seales' was denied by the court a right to die at the time of her choosing with help from a her doctor. But her husband Matt Vickers carried on her fight, and with the help of former MP Marion Street, delivered a petition to Parliament, which has resulted in the parliamentary inquiry.

"As a profession, we don't have a compulsory requirement for a debrief as there are in other professions - where you can go and unburden your soul about what might be troubling you.

"I think there would be almost no veterinarians, who when there is a sick animal that's in pain, and there is no treatment available, would have any concerns about it," she said.

Often, while it could be a harrowing procedure for the owners, it was one they were most thankful for.

ROSS GIBLIN/FAIRFAX NZ

Matt Vickers, husband of Lecretia Seales, still hopes Government will put forward a bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia.

"Bizarrely it's one of the most appreciated things by clients - is you get more cakes and boxes of chocolates from grateful clients after doing a good job of euthanasing a much loved animal than you do for repairing a terribly fractured leg," she said.

Questions over whether pets would need to beeuthanasedas frequentlyif quality palliative care existed, were incomparable to a subsidised public health system, she said.

However the process with pets often triggered emotional responses if owners had also watched a loved family member suffer in their last years.

"Certainly, there's a majority of times when youreuthanasingsomebody's pet and the ownerwill comment that 'I wish we could have done this to grandma' and there's certainly a strong view that we are kinder to animals."

Asked about the issue of consent, Weston explained to MPs fundamental differences between animals and humans, and their relationships, made it difficult to draw comparisons.

"I always look at animals I've viewed as property, even when they are companion animals and are very much like a child for a lot of people.

"So it is very different for the medical profession, I would imagine, they would only be asked to assist somebody to die by that person," she said.

The animal belonged to a person,and if thatowner consented that they want it to be put to sleep then the vet would do that.

"And as a person, if you can't own your own body and say what you wish to happen, then I would not want to consider at all that a person is the property of another person who would," Weston said.

HOW IT WORKS

In the way the euthanasia process was carried out, it was typically very peaceful and not dissimilar between animals and humans.

"It's a huge overdose of an anaesthetic, so generally the drug enters the bloodstream and the animal just stops breathing, the pupils dilate and the heart stops beating," said Weston, in the case of animals.

"It works on the brain to shut down the activity on the body. So the heart will keep on beating for a minute or two and the pupils dilate instantly, which is a sign of brain function.

"So as long as you've correctly found the vein then it's usually very peaceful. Sometimes if, in particularly old and very-close-to-death animals, the circulation is compromised and it doesn't act as quickly."

But in those cases, the animal would have totally lost consciousness even though there might be apparentgasping and the expansion of the chest in the moments before they died.

New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists President Dr David Kibblewhite outlined a similar intravenousmethod for the committee, by which barbiturates were administered in humans. They could also be delivered orally, which was more common.

He was only able to speak on the processes he was aware of overseas, because while death could sometimes be an outcome of increased pain medication in a terminal patient's final days,no doctor in New Zealand had actually carried out the euthanasia procedure.

But it was not complicated, and in fact occurred on an almost daily basis as part of open heart surgery.

In that instance a person would be given a sedative and a muscle relaxant, and would then be delivered the barbiturate that would "arrest" or stop the heart.

A heart cannot be beating, or drawing oxygen, while a surgeon is operating on it. It's restarted once the procedure is complete.

In a euthanasia procedure it wouldn't be restarted.

"It's not all that complicated really."

-Stuff

More:

Euthanasia: How is it done, and what's it like putting down something you've vowed to care for? - Stuff.co.nz

Editors Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by the Collegian or its editorial board.

Alongside embryonic stem cells and abortion, the practice of physician-assisted death is one of todays most contested bioethical issues. Those opposed to aid in dying argue that the practice is out of line with fundamental medical principles, mainly those based upon the oft-quoted Hippocratic Oath. Such a claim, however, is erroneous as modern-day Hippocratic Oaths are not identical iterations of the ancient Greek declaration. I would actually go so far as to argue that physician-assisted death is supported by contemporary physicians pledges. With this in mind, I believe we should view Death with Dignity not as an issue at all, but rather as a new, necessary form of treatment that has grown out of a rapidly evolving medical landscape.

Physician-assisted death (PAD) refers to a patients conscious decision to end their life by way of lethal substances using the direct or indirect involvement of a physician. A situation where this practice might be employed is in the case of terminal cancer. If the affected patient knows they are going to die within X number of months and does not wish to undergo painful chemotherapy and/or palliative treatments until then, they can hasten death with the help of a licensed physician.

Few statesonly six plus the District of Columbiahave legislation permitting physician-aided death. This is in large part due to persistent qualms about the supposedly immoral nature of helping someone die. A large part of these beliefs are influenced by religious dogma, especially in the Catholic Church, as well as pro-life political movements. But, particularly in the medical field, some argue that helping a patient reach lifes end diametrically opposes the primary tenets of the Hippocratic Oath: primum non nocere, or, first, do no harm.

There are twothings wrong with this argument.

First, the above mentioned phrase is not actually from Hippocrates eponymous oath but is believed to have come from his work, Of the Epidemics. Granted, there is similar language found in the actual Hippocratic Oath: I will use treatment to help the sick . . . but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing. The only reason I point out this discrepancy is to show that the argument of primum non nocereis not technically a part of the physicians pledge and thus should not be a major argument for anti-PAD oath-takers.

Secondly, many modern medical schools have their own versions of the Hippocratic Oath, drawing elements from the original text, while some do not require them at all. Thats not to say that some schools are more ethical than others, just that certain institutions view the practice of medicine in different waysas they should, for the field is subject to change as major advancements or discoveries are made.

The genuine Hippocratic Oath, written circa 400 BCE, stresses admirable values, such as treating patients with the best of ones skills, handing down medical knowledge to subsequent generations, and ensuring patient consent to treatment. But, some elements of the oath, such as those pertaining to religion or those forbidding abortions, fell by the wayside over the years. Some parts of the oath were adopted into modern versions, while others were omitted. These variations show not only a growing individualism in perception of medical practice, but epitomize the complexity and subjective nature of bioethics.

Interestingly, only 14 percent of modern day Hippocratic Oaths forbid euthanasia.If a doctor argues that they cannot perform PAD due to its conflict with a sworn pledge, it is statistically unlikely that their oath actually forbade the practice.

Even when discounting the semantics of Hippocratic Oaths, I firmly believe that we are the captains of our souls as well as our own bodies. If diagnosed with a terminal illness and given the option of: a) undergoing painful treatment until natural death, or b) ending things quickly in a relatively painless way, I am positive I would choose the latter. Wouldnt you?

But, dont just take my word for it. Six states and the District of Columbia have already legalized PAD, and it can be expected that number will increase in coming years. The growing level of acceptance can be seen on both ends of the patient-provider spectrum.

Patients have a number of reasons for supporting euthanasia: alleviation of negative side effects; regaining a sense of control over an otherwise ungovernable illness; and eliminating fears of the future, such as worsening quality of life and/or becoming a burden on loved ones.

Physicians too are able to see why support of PAD should be given. As medical practitioners, physicians aim to show every patient care and compassion, while also providing their best advice for course of treatment. To discount the compassionate nature of euthanasiaits literally giving a patient asked-for relief from painis to discount the shared message of all Hippocratic Oaths: to avoid wrongdoing towards the patient. If a sick person is suffering and a doctor has the ability to end that pain, why wouldnt they?

We shouldnt argue that PAD is wrong because it violates the Hippocratic Oath. Instead, we should debate why this practice is still inaccessible to so many who are suffering. Unfortunately, Im out of paper space, so thatll have to be a discussion for another day.

Note: I have chosen not to use the familiar term physician-assisted suicide due to its perpetuation of prejudice and negative sentiments towards individuals who choose to die with dignity.

Lauren Willson can be reached at letters@collegian and online at @LaurenKealani

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Willson: Hippocrates would have supported euthanasia - Rocky Mountain Collegian

Bangladeshi father's cry for euthanasia prompts Indian clinic to treat patients pro bono Times Now Fruit seller Tofazzal Hossain sparked a rare debate about euthanasia in conservative Bangladesh in January when he pleaded with the authorities to allow his grandson and two sons to die. All three suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic ... and more »

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Bangladeshi father's cry for euthanasia prompts Indian clinic to treat patients pro bono - Times Now