|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
catman
Joined: 18 Jul 2004
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:03 am Post subject: Quebec physicians tentatively propose legal euthanasia |
 |
|
| Quote: |
With great caution, the Quebec College of Physicians is prepared to cross the line on the controversial debate over euthanasia and propose that it be included "as part of the appropriate care in certain particular circumstances."
After examining the issue for three years, the College's task force on ethics concluded that Quebec society has evolved to the point where it could tolerate euthanasia in specific circumstances. The task force's recommendation will likely be part of a "reflection" document the College will release next fall, hoping that a public debate on the issue will pressure the federal government to eventually amend the criminal code.
"We are being very cautious in our approach," said the College's secretary, Yves Robert. "Avoiding the debate contributes to the general hypocrisy around this issue. To say that it doesn't happen because it is illegal is completely stupid. ... We have to stop hiding our head in the sand," Dr. Robert said.
It is common knowledge that physicians often have no choice but to constantly increase medication such as morphine to alleviate the pain and suffering of terminally ill patients.
Sometimes, the pain is so unbearable that the amount of painkillers or analgesics used to control it can be fatal. And this, according to the Quebec College of Physicians, can be viewed as a form of euthanasia.
"The question here is to decide whether a drop in dosage or an increase in dosage constitutes a criminal act," Dr. Robert said. "We may go as far as to recommend that in certain cases, where the pain is unbearable, the amount of analgesic required could correspond to a form of euthanasia."
The College wants to avoid a divisive confrontation between those who are for or against euthanasia, saying such a debate would solve nothing. Instead, the debate should be about the doctor's role in accompanying a terminally ill patient toward the inevitability of death, offering as much dignity and medical assistance as possible. "There's not a politician or a lawyer that can tell me what that entails," Dr. Robert said.
The College says there are three conditions required in order to amend the Criminal Code, which currently defines euthanasia as a criminal act. The first would require that the decision be made in accordance with the patient's will. A physician alone could not decide, Dr. Robert said. The second condition would require that clear rules be established to protect society from abuses. And thirdly, the doctor has to be part of the decision-making process and not someone who simply carries out orders.
Quebec physicians are adamant in stating their position excludes assisted suicides, which is practised in Switzerland and in some parts of the United States. There have been a few rare cases where Canadians have died at the assisted-suicide clinic Dignitas in Switzerland, but the College opposes the practice.
Right-to-die groups in Quebec believe the province's College of Physicians has taken a "bold, cautious and realistic" approach that will have considerable impact on the rest of the country.
Social worker Yvon Bureau, who has spent 25 years promoting the right to euthanasia, called the College's proposal a major step forward.
"I believe this is huge," Mr. Bureau said. "We need to avoid having people commit suicide or die under terrible circumstances. About 80 per cent of the Quebec population supports the right to medical assistance in dying. All of this would take place in the course of the relationship between the doctor and the patient, as well as the family."
The College of Physicians is expected to table its final proposal in November.
|
I hope this becomes a bigger national issue. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Me too. I think that people should be able to choose. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sergio Stefanuto
Joined: 14 May 2009
Location: UK
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
It is common knowledge that physicians often have no choice but to constantly increase medication such as morphine to alleviate the pain and suffering of terminally ill patients.
"The question here is to decide whether a drop in dosage or an increase in dosage constitutes a criminal act," |
Well, I realize it's hardly an open and shut case, but, if they have "no choice" - knowing that doing so is tantamount to euthanasia - I say go with that, given that it is solidly evidenced. The alternative - reducing the dose to keep the terminally ill, lest we forget patient alive (albeit in terrible pain) - seems to present the opportunity for the ideological interference of 3rd parties at the expense of a suffering individual. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AgentM
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia, Canada
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Captain Corea wrote: |
| Me too. I think that people should be able to choose. |
+1
Agreed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| The first would require that the decision be made in accordance with the patient's will. A physician alone could not decide, Dr. Robert said. The second condition would require that clear rules be established to protect society from abuses. And thirdly, the doctor has to be part of the decision-making process and not someone who simply carries out orders. |
I would have liked to see more discussion on the second condition, honestly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bacasper
Joined: 26 Mar 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
| As long as it is the doctor and patient making the decision and not some HMO exec or politician. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AgentM
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia, Canada
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bacasper wrote: |
| As long as it is the doctor and patient making the decision and not some HMO exec or politician. |
Well in Canada we don't have HMOs so that won't be an issue. I doubt that politicians would get directly involved. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
