Posted by
Billy on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 8:55:36 PM
Euthanasia is already a reality in Quebec hospitals, the president of the
federation of Quebec medical specialists, told a National Assembly committee
yesterday.
Doctors know when death is "imminent and inevitable," Gaétan Barrette
explained.
But doctors are aware they can be charged with murder if they administer a
"palliative sedative" before a patient is on his or her last breath.
Geoffrey Kelley, chairman of the committee, explained that MNAs will hear
about 30 expert witnesses on "dying with dignity" to prepare a paper for a
travelling public consultation this fall. (Quebec
doctors: Time for euthanasia has come... )
Barrette told the committee the issue of euthanasia could not be discussed in
Quebec 50 years ago, comparing it with the evolution in thinking about
abortion.
"Doctors are ready to debate euthanasia," Barrette said. And like abortion,
he said, limits must be established. Not every patient will want euthanasia and
not all doctors will agree to perform the procedure.
Barrette explained that a patient who is lucid consults with a doctor,
friends and family members before requesting euthanasia.
(We here in America need to be careful with this kind of talk. This could be something that comes to pass thanks to government health care. That is why we need to value all human life as a gift from God. It doesn't matter if it is an unborn child or an older person who has lived for years. All life is a gift and death should not be rushed by anyone.)