Category Archives: Euthanasia

'As harsh as it may seem, an educated debate on euthanasia requires us to look at facts...which include aspects such as its economical effects on health services'

The Medical Council on Tuesday criticised the students report, which found that 69% of university students agreed with euthanasia as proof that the younger generation view euthanasia as a foregone conclusion.

The students were also taken to task by government Whip Godfrey Farrugia and Opposition MP Robert Cutajar for including in their policy paper economic arguments in favour of euthanasia, namely as a cost control on the public health system.

The MaltaToday stand on euthanasia | A question of dignity

As with a very large number of social issues that tend to upend the apple cart, the moral aspect on euthanasia has been widely documented and seemingly never-ending, as the rest of this policy paper tries to explain in detail, the reports introduction to the economic argument reads.

However, at the committee session, the two MPs strongly warned the law students that economic arguments can never be used to justify ending human life.

However, GHSL president Jacob Portelli told MaltaToday that the organisation had not taken a stance in favour or against euthanasia, but merely analyzed the possible impact of the legalization of euthanasia in Malta.

As harsh as it may seem, an educated and serious debate on this subject requires us to look at facts, to look at the reality of things of, which unfortunately include certain aspects such as the economical effect euthanasia will have, he said. As students, as an organisation and as possible future law makers we must not shy away from debating on issues such as these.

In a survey amongst 313 university students, a vast majority of 69% said they agreed with the introduction of voluntary euthanasia. 28 students (9.8%) disagreed, while the rest (21%) said maybe. Those who disagreed mainly said that euthanasia ran counter to their religious faith, or that it was a form of direct killing.

Students hold euthanasia debate

Earlier today, the University Students Council held a debate amongst students on campus on whether euthanasia should be legalised, reported on by student media group Insite.

University students hold a debate on euthanasia on campus

We are told to take charge of life, so why are we then condemned when we take charge of death too? she asked.

John Navarro from Gender Equality Malta said that euthanasia should be legalised, warning that people who are denied that option are likely to commit suicide.

However, Jef Cuschieri from the University Bible Group warned that euthanasia will give doctors permission to murder people, and run counter to Gods will and the sanctity of life.

Jean-Claude Schembri from the theology students association said that a dignified death is one in which the person is supported by their loved ones and a caring society till the end.

Ultimately what we all need is the resilience to find meaning in the suffering we can do little about.

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Law students accuse Medical Council of twisting their euthanasia arguments - MaltaToday

From FDA.gov.

WASHINGTON D.C. A second brand of dog food has been recalled because it might contain a drug that is used to put dogs down.

Against the Grain Pet Food is voluntarily recalling one lot of Against the Grain Pulled Beef with Gravy Dinner for Dogs in 12-ounce cans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationsaid. The food may contain pentobarbital, a drugthat is commonly used to put dogs down.

The FDA says the food was manufactured and distributed in Washington state and Maryland back in 2015. The food was distributed to independent pet retail stores.

The food is no longer on store shelves. However, it has a best by date of December 2019.

This is the second dog food recall in recent weeksdue to the presence of pentobarbital. An Illinois pet food company voluntarily recalled one of their products after the powerful sedative sickened five dogs and killed another. According to the Seattle Times, the dog killed after ingesting the food lived in Washington state.

Against the Grain can be reached at 708-566-4410 for questions on the recall.

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More dog food recalled because it may contain euthanasia drug - Q13 FOX

Stories of suffering are the currency use to validate assisted suicide (Getty)

A coalition of academics, journalists and celebrities is trying to convince Australians that legalisation is overdue. But were fighting back

The internationally renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl experienced first hand the utter depravity of Auschwitz and Dachau. He knew the immense physical torment, psychological torture and spiritual desolation of those most inhuman of places. They were not called death camps for figurative effect.

Suicide was not unknown among those sent there to suffer grievously and die. Yet, strikingly, Frankl writes in his autobiographical study, Mans Search for Meaning, of the obligation fellow inmates accepted to frustrate such occurrences: A very strict camp ruling forbade any efforts to save a man who attempted suicide Therefore, it was all-important to prevent these attempts from occurring.

In naming the reason for this paramount calling, Frankl said: When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task; his single and unique task His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden.

As words such as compassion and dignity and care become (mis)appropriated by advocates for legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS), I have often thought of Frankls enduring insight that human life is essentially a quest for meaning. Advocates of legalised EAS seem unable to grasp the deep meaning to be discovered by a person in that uniquely human project of embracing what Frankl called the wider cycles of life and death, of suffering and of dying.

It is realistic to acknowledge that some individuals, in the midst of their own mortal suffering, will seek out euthanasia, and that others will be willing to assist in that desperate act. God only knows and only God can judge the existential torment that might overwhelm a person, and their loved ones, as they suffer in dying. But when societies start to legislate for this, when they actively chose killing over living as the better way, then much will be lost of our common human project. Legalising EAS is a society giving up on its own people.

Unlike in Britain, where debate happens on a national level, the question of legalising EAS in Australia is a state-based issue. This is because healthcare is the responsibility of the eight states and territories, and not the single Commonwealth. Consequentially, there is a rolling debate on euthanasia across the country, depending on which parliament is considering legislative action at any particular time. The parliament of South Australia, for example, has recently defeated (by a single vote) the 13th attempt at legalising EAS. The State of Tasmania has had several goes at pushing through legalisation. A cross-party bill will be considered in the parliament of New South Wales this year, and parliamentary advocates in Queensland and Western Australia are testing the waters. This creates difficulties in rallying resources and people to counter such developments.

The major battleground, however, is Victoria. It is in this state that, for the first time, a government-sponsored bill will be tabled in the second half of this year, following a parliamentary inquirys recommendation to legalise EAS.

Who is supporting this move? There is a socially liberal disposition among many academics and the media, which is being encouraged by a handful of celebrity campaigners and supported by some professional bodies of medical practitioners.

EAS is spoken of by these advocates as a step forward, overdue and an idea whose time has come. It is presented as the morally decent thing to do, demanding of those who resist change the justification of their unenlightened position. Those who do not support EAS are quickly dismissed as either religiously motivated or doctrinaire.

It is telling that this most basic question of our common humanity is couched by EAS advocates in bygone sectarian images and language. Yet that is the nature of the debate in Australia: euthanasia is but one flank of a wider front in a battle for radical cultural change.

It is in the stories we tell that our humanity will be revealed. Personal stories of suffering are the currency used to validate the wielding of a blunt and crude legislative instrument over the lives of the dying. In telling only of ordeal and despair, advocates of EAS seek to privilege the reduction of a persons entire life to the end part only. The task is no longer how to support someone in the living of their life, but how to effectively bring about their death. In the legalising of EAS, dying is no longer viewed as a uniquely human dimension of living, but rather as a process to be brought about as proficiently as possible.

Might we not find a more truthful storytelling of our humanity in Viktor Frankl? And finally, he wrote, I spoke [to my comrades] of our sacrifice, which had meaning in every case. It was in the nature of this sacrifice that it should appear to be pointless in the normal world But in reality our sacrifice did have a meaning The purpose of my words was to find a full meaning in our life, then and there, in that hut and in that practically hopeless situation.

To legalise EAS is to give up on telling the story of the full meaning of our lives. This story is not always easily told, but it is a true story in need of listening ears.

The Most Rev Dr Peter Comensoli is Bishop of Broken Bay and the Australian Bishops Delegate on Euthanasia

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Euthanasia's march Down Under - Catholic Herald Online (blog)

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

An article written last week by Janene Pieters and published in the NL Times reports

A group of 220 Dutch doctors took out an advertisement in NRC [a daily evening newspaper] on Friday to show that they are against granting euthanasia to advanced dementia patients. The doctors believe its wrong to give euthanasia based on a statement which the patient can no longer confirm.

Our moral reluctance to end the life of a defenseless human being is too big, the ad reads. Among the signers are also doctors specialized in helping patients die.

According to the article, there have been three cases of people with advanced dementia who died by euthanasia since December 2015.

Pieters explained

The rules for euthanasia for elderly people with dementia were adjusted in December 2015. The Ministries of Public Health and Security and Justice changed the euthanasia guidelines to state that euthanasia can be granted to advanced dementia patients if they made a written declaration with this wish while they were still lucid.

Before this adaption, a patient had to express the desire for death himself. But this is no longer required.

Recently a Netherlands euthanasia review committee decided that the doctor of a woman with dementia, who had previously stated in an advanced directive that she wanted euthanasia, should not have put a sedative in her coffee and should not have had her family hold her down while he lethally injected her.

But the committee also stated that the forced euthanasia was done in good faith.

Editors note. This appeared on Mr. Schadenbergs blog and is reposted with permission.

Read more from the original source:

220 Dutch doctors take out ad to oppose euthanasia for patients with dementia - National Right to Life News

'Patients have a changing journey of hope throughout their illnesses and their positions on euthanasia will be in a state of flux'

Philip Borg, David Muscat and Doreen Cassar of the Medical Council address MPs

Patients suffering can be cared for through palliative care, and therefore we believe that euthanasia cannot be consiered an option, council member David Muscat said. Patients have a changing journey of hope throughout their illnesses and their positions on euthanasia will be in a state of flux. It is the patient who is at his or her most vulnerable, and prudence must be the virtue that guides the doctors actions.

The Medical Council was invited to address a joint parliamentary committee debating euthanasia, that will now draft a report after hearing several witnesses. At the end of the session, government Whip Godfrey Farrugia and Opposition MP Robert Cutajar both confirmed that their respective parties are fully opposed to euthanasia.

The joint committee wrapped up its debate on euthanasia today

It is scary that there are some youths who already looking at euthanasia as a foregone concsuion, he said, referring to a policy paper on the subject by the law students association. We are in favour of life in all its forms and if we start deciding when people should be killed and when they shouldnt, then we will effectively be sending out a message that medical services are ultimately useless because sooner or later we will all reach that moment.

Fellow council member Doreen Cassar similarly warned that Malta risks going down a slippery slope if it legalises euthanasia, arguing that health professionals in other countries are being encouraged to look at euthanasia in terms of its economic benefit to the national health services.

I want to live, but I respect everyones opinions Bjorn Formosa

The MPs also had a brief telephone conversation with Bjorn Formosa, the 30-year-old ALS sufferer and activist who has frequently expressed his desire to remain alive for as long as possible.

Sometimes the problems are exacerbated because the patients dont have people to look after them, or they lack the necessary health structures or finances to treat their illnesses. For example, ALS patients have to spend over 100,000 a year in treatment, he said.

Godfrey Farrugia questioned whether he believes the state should fork out the costs for ALS treatment, noting that it already pays 300,000 a year to store extremely rare blood types.

I am not privy to the health ministrys budget, but of course it would be ideal and easier if treatment was paid for by the state, Formosa responded.

The Institute of Maltese Journalists also gave a presentation, with its chairman Karl Wright warning that journalists should avoid sensationalising stories related to euthansaia and suicide. TVM broadcaster Norma Saliba said that journalists should strive to educate the public over the facts on euthanasia and seek the opinions.

The Law Students Association (GHSL) presented a policy paper, outlining its view on how euthanasia should be legalised without coming out in favour or against it. The paper included a survey amongst 313 university students, in which 69% said they agreed with euthanasia.

See the original post here:

Medical Council strikes out against euthanasia: 'Patients' positions in a state of flux' - MaltaToday

Another company has issued a voluntary recall after a drug sometimes used to euthanize pets was found in one of its batches.

Against the Grain pet food announced the recall of one lot of their Pulled Beef with Gravy dinner for dogs that was manufactured and distributed in 2015.

Pentobarbital, a drug that is often used to euthanize pets, was found in lot number 2415E01ATB12 (the second half of the UPC code is 80001, which can be found on the back of the product label) with an expiration date of December 2019.

If a pet consumes Pentobarbital, they could experience side effects like dizziness, excitement, nausea, inability to stand and coma. In some occasions, it could lead to death.

No complaints have been filed to Against the Grain about the food.

Earlier this month, Evanger's issued a similar voluntary recall after Pentobarbital was found in a batch of their food. A Washington woman said Evanger's Hunk of Beef sickened her pugs, even killing one of them.

Original post:

Another company issues recall after euthanasia drug found in dog food - KATU

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Dr. Jeff Blackmer

Jeff Blackmer, the former ethicist and current Vice President for medical professionalism with the Canadian Medical Association told Ryan Tumilty from Metro news that Canadian doctors have been telling his group that they struggle with taking part in assisted-death procedures.

He said physicians who have agreed to help a patient they knew well may find it difficult to help subsequent patients.

They will say, it was just too difficult and too traumatizing physiologically and it is not something I will go through again, he said. They really struggle with it, and for some of those that is the only one they will do.

Blackmer said some of Canadas physicians are entirely ruling out providing end-of-life assistance to future patients.

In some provinces where they have a list of providers where they may be willing to participate, I know from speaking to colleagues that some of those lists are getting shorter.

He said the CMA has not received any reports of doctors being pressured into providing assisted suicide

[Note: When Blackmer says end-of-life assistance, he actually means lethal injection. ]

The reality is that killing another human being, even if that person has asked to be killed, is innately wrong and dangerous. Canadians should actually be concerned about doctors who do not have a problem with killing their patients.

Editors note. This appeared on Mr. Schadenbergs blog and is reposted with permission.

See the original post here:

Canadian doctors are struggling with euthanasia - National Right to Life News

Sponsors of the citizens' initiative on euthanasia handed the motion over the Parliamentary Speaker Maria Lohela. Image: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva

The sponsors of a citizens' initiative calling for the legalisation of euthanasia handed over the motion to Parliamentary Speaker Maria Lohela on Tuesday.

The initiative first went public on the Kansalaisaloite.fi website, the online service for launching legislative proposals, at the beginning of November last year. It gathered the 50,000 signatures required to take it to the parliament for consideration in just four weeks.

The sponsors of the initiative are former MPs Esko Seppnen, Iiro Viinanen, Henrik Lax, Oslo Soininvaara and Ilkka Taipale.

Supporters of the motion are calling on Finnish legislators to begin preparations to develop laws to regulate the practice of euthanasia or mercy killing, in Finland.

During the handing over ceremony, ex-MP Seppnen said he hoped that parliamentary groups would not make partisan decisions on the motion, but would cast a conscience vote according to their personal convictions.

A straw poll conducted ahead of the last general election indicated that a clear majority of MPs supported legalising euthanasia. Altogether 119 parliamentarians or 59.5% said they backed the measure.

However a survey conducted in January by the Finnish Medical Association showed that only one in six doctors working with terminally-ill patients said they supported legalising euthanasia. Opponents of the proposal expressed concerned over a slipping threshold for euthanasia over time.

Lawmakers will discuss the motion next week, after which it will be taken up by Parliament's social and health care committee.

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Speaker receives citizens' initiative on legalisation of euthanasia - YLE News

Labour will not be introducing a private members bill on euthanasia Andrew Little MP, Leader Labour Party.

MEDIA RELEASE FEBRUARY 11, 2017

Andrew Little MP, leader of the Labour Party recently advised Right to Life in a letter that It does not reflect Labours view and Labour will not be introducing a private members bill on Euthanasia. Right to Life commends Andrew Little for his integrity and courage in emphatically rejecting the threat of Euthanasia which would permit doctors to kill their patients or assist in their suicide. This is a victory for a culture of life. Right to Life is hopeful that the Labour caucus will fully support their leader on this important issue.

The Labour Party has a long and illustrious history of defending life. Andrew Littles stand is in the tradition of its great leaders who defended life; Michael Savage, Peter Frazer, Walter Nash, Arnold Nordmeyer, Bill Rowling, David Lange and Mike Moore.

The first duty of government is to protect the right to life of every member of the human family from conception to natural death.

Andrew little also stated that Euthanasia is a conscience issue, not a party political issue and it is not one of Labours priorities. This is a welcome assurance, that should Labour be elected to govern at the general election on Saturday 23rd September 2017, a Labour government would not present a bill promoting Euthanasia. It is also reassuring that should a private members bill on Euthanasia be drawn from the ballot, Labour members would have a conscience vote.

The Labour Party has traditionally defended the weak and the marginalised in society. The assurances of Andrew little will be of comfort to the most vulnerable members of our community, the aged, the disabled and the seriously ill.

Andrew little has previously shown integrity and courage in refusing to allow Ian Lees-Galloway MP permission in December 2015, to return to the ballot the Euthanasia bill drafted by Maryan Street, a list MP who lost her seat at the last general election.

The petition of Maryan Street and 8974 others on Euthanasia is currently being considered by the Parliamentary Health Select Committee. There were an unprecedented 21,435 written submissions to this petition. The Committee has recently completed hearing oral submissions. A scientific random analysis of the written submissions revealed an overwhelming 78 per cent of submissions in opposition to Euthanasia and assisted suicide. David Seymour MP Leader of ACT is pushing hard for Euthanasia and currently has a bill in the ballot; its title is End of Life Choice bill

Ken Orr

Spokesperson

Scoop Media

See the original post:

Labour will not introduce private members bill on euthanasia - Scoop.co.nz (press release)

Cold laser is a new procedure that could help reduce swelling and inflammation for pets.

Rich Prange, KPNX 6:13 PM. MST February 13, 2017

(Photo: Rich Prange/12 News)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - When John and Susan Davenport were traveling from California to their winter home in Buckeye, they noticed something was wrong with Rosie, their 11-year-old longhair dachshund.

In the middle of the night, I woke up to find she couldnt move at all," said John. "Rosie was pretty much paralyzed in her back legs.

Rosie had suffered a slippeddisc, a devastating condition her owners had seen before. Rosie's mother had been put down a few years ago for a similar back issue.

It was a choked up feeling," John said. "We kind of didn't want to think what the outcome would be.

The outlook was grim: Rosie would need back surgery which would've cost thousands of dollars with a 50/50 chance of success.

The Davenports decided to try cold laser therapy. Their veterinarian in California had used it before when Rosie had an issue with one of her hind legs.

Watching her mom suffer just wasnt something we wanted to do. It was something we wanted to try, said John.

Cold laser therapy is a less invasive procedure than surgery. Fitted with a pair of sunglasses to shade her eyes, all Rosie has to do is lay on the table and relax as the technician massages her back with laser that looks similar to a ultrasound.

This session lasted about 10 minutes.

It helps to reduce swelling and inflammation and pain, said Benjamin Savard, a veterinarian at Raintree Pet Resort & Medical Center.

Savard says hes been using the new laser therapy for about three years. He says the laser feels warm and can also increase the blood flow to the injured area and speed up the recovery.

The Davenports say Rosie was able to walk again after a few sessions and is now back to normal. The laser therapy worked and was more affordable than surgery.

We did a series of six treatments, about $250," Savard said. "We're doing the individual ongoing treatments, which works out to $40 apiece."

Oftentimes when a pet parent has to choose between paying an expensive procedure for their pet or euthanasia, sadly, they choose the latter.

Dr. Savard estimates hes has been able to save more than a dozen dogs from being put down because of the success and affordability of the laser. He also says the laser therapy is not the cure-all for all pets; it's just another tool in treating man's best friend.

It's another way we can bring some relief to many of our patients, often without having to use drugs that have lots of side effects because it's a perfectly safe treatment, said Savard.

The cold laser therapy can also be used to treat a number of other issues your pet may face like arthritis and gum disease.

For more information, visit theRaintree Pet Resort & Medical Center's website.

( 2017 KPNX)

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Could laser therapy help dog owners avoid euthanasia? - 12news.com