Euthanasia

BBC NI has been doing a series called 'living longer' about issues affecting older people. I'm not sure if it is corporation bias or there are new efforts afoot to change legislation but last week they showed (in my opinion) a fairly biased segment about a depressed woman who wanted the right to end her own life. I not against a fair debate of issues, just impartial journalism. Anyway, here's why I'm strongly against Euthanasia:

The ethics of the debate are over 'the intentional killing of a person because of suffering or illness endured by that person'. There is much overlap between assisted suicide and euthanasia and while the differences are obvious, the objections are similar. Most people arguing for the right to die, are actually arguing for the right to be killed by a doctor. I disagree with this on several levels. What is the job of a doctor if not to protect and prolong life? Also, medical science is always progressing giving us new treatments and helping us to extend life. If, as a society, we start killing people with 'incurable' illnesses, we will deny ourselves these potential cures. I believe that legalising assisted suicide is just a stepping stone to euthanasia. First it becomes ok to stand by while someone kills themselves. Then it is ok to help them do it. Then it becomes ok to do it for them at their request. The bottom of the moral slide ends with society choosing to end the lives of those who are dying, sick, mentally unwell, 'a burden', ?disabled, ?confused, ?old. Where does it stop? What gives us the right to decide which lives have less quality or value?

I find it bizarre that the media is so vocal about preventing teen suicide, yet when a depressed cancer patient expresses the same emotions, it's ok because its 'their right'!? Patients with terminal illnesses are vulnerable. They often suffer from depression and anxiety. They may be confused or disoriented. They often fear the future and further suffering. They worry about being 'a burden'. As with our birth, we have a lack of control over the timing of our own death which is difficult for patients and their families to deal with. It is hard for someone in this difficult situation to be objective. I believe that a civilised society has a responsibility to protect its most vulnerable members. And while it is important to protect individual rights, rarely does anyone commit suicide in isolation. It is a decision which deeply affects friends, family and even healthcare staff.

A terminal illness causes people to evaluate their priorities and reflect on their lives. A horrible diagnosis becomes an opportunity to right wrongs, mend relationships, and rediscover friendships. There is often some time for the patient (and family) to prepare both mentally and spiritually for death. Many discover or rediscover God close to them through such a painful period. I don't want to minimize or trivialise suffering. It is certainly a test of faith and character. I cannot say how I would act or react in someone else's shoes. However, much is written (even in Scripture) about the ability of hardship and suffering to bring maturity of character and a deepening of faith. The palliative period is also an opportunity for family and friends to care for and practically love the dying person. Suffering is part of life and sharing in this suffering is part of what makes us human.

In my experience, the fiercest proponents are often people who knew someone who died in unpleasant circumstances with suboptimal palliative care. I have worked in Oncology and Palliative Care. There is a common misconception that the only option to dying a horrible painful death is to end life prematurely. There have been significant advances in Palliative care in the UK recently along with a brilliant hospice movement which means that there is a third option of good palliative care which gives people 'dignity in death'. Although we can never fully eliminate suffering, and there are still some patients who do not receive optimum care, our aim still should be to improve our standards of care not change the law to eliminate those patients.

Ultimately I am strongly against Euthanasia because I believe that all human life is created in the image of God and is therefore extremely precious. Life itself is not worth less when we grow old, get sick, become confused or loose hope. We must fight to protect the vulnerable and always aim to bring hope to the depressed and compassion to the suffering.

Essential links:
* Care NOT Killing is a UK-based alliance of people aiming to promote palliative care and oppose euthanasia

* Don't Waste Your Cancer by John Piper. A radical view of a cancer diagnosis.