Euthanasia
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Informed debate is needed
One of the most important public policy debates today surrounds the issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide. The outcome of that debate will profoundly affect family relationships, interaction between doctors and patients, and concepts of basic ethical behavior. With so much at stake, more is needed than a duel of one-liners, slogans and sound bites.
There is a massive global push throughout the world for legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia. Colombia became the first Latin American country and one of several countries worldwide to legalize assisted suicide in 1997. But the government delayed approving regulations until April 2015, and no legal procedures were performed until now. Elsewhere, countries which have legalized euthanasia have seen year on year increases in the numbers being killed.
Links
UK Doctors put infants, newborns on 'end of life' death treatments
Euthanasia choice for terminally ill children a step closer in Belgium
Dr Death to lose his medical licence
Colombia opens its doors to euthanasia
Deaths among the young an unintended consequence of the euthanasia movement