Australian Ageing Agenda article published 6 December 2012; Wide support for euthanasia: poll, By Natasha Egan
More than four in five Australian adults support reform of voluntary euthanasia laws and almost a quarter of would change their vote if their usual election candidate opposed reform, according to a poll commissioned by advocacy organization YourLastRight.com… read more http://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/2012/12/06/article/Wide-support-for-euthanasia/BZBAQTGAML.html
The article closes with this;
Voluntary euthanasia is not a part of palliative care
While having no specific comment on this particular poll, Palliative Care Australia (PCA) CEO Dr Yvonne Luxford, said there was a range of views in the Australian community about the ethical issue of the deliberate ending of life for a person living with a terminal condition.
“Much community interest in euthanasia and physician assisted suicide is sparked by a need for assurance that pain and suffering will be relieved and that individual end of life decisions will be respected,” she said in a PCA position statement.
PCA’s position is that euthanasia and physician assisted suicide are not part of palliative care practice.
“Informed discussion about euthanasia and physician assisted suicide is hindered by society’s failure to guarantee access to quality care at the end of life,” Dr Luxford said.
“Dying is a natural part of life, and declining or withdrawing aspects of treatment is acceptable if it aligns with the informed wishes of the patient. This does not constitute euthanasia or physician assisted suicide.”
A very hard topic and with very little fence sitters. you either are yes or a no much life pro life or pro choice. It is lucky we can make these decisions for our pets and sadly unable to make them for ourselves
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The article makes it clear – withdrawal of treatment and allowing death is not the same as euthanasia.
In my discussions with others, most do not appreciate the difference, not having experienced death closely.
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