Controversial Euthanasia Advocate Pulls out of NUIG Debate

A controversial pro-euthanasia professor pulled out of an NUIG (Galway University) debate this week. British Professor of Medical Ethics Len Doyal had been invited to speak at the debate but then cancelled his visit citing "scheduling issues".

Professor Doyal was strongly opposed when he went to deliver a speech at Cork University Hospital last year. Pro-life activists in Galway had said that they would attend the debate to speak up when the topic was put to the floor.

Maria Mahoney, auditor of Life Soc, said that she was opposed to Doyal’s agenda. “Not only is he advocating suicide but involuntary euthanasia, whereby doctors can kill patients at their discretion, rather than with their consent. He has drawn criticism from even from pro-euthanasia groups because his agenda is so far over the top.”

Ms Mahoney said that the pro-life society would have “similar objections” to the protestors who succeeded in driving Prof Doyal from the auditorium in Cork last year, but identified a distinction in that he is appearing at NUI Galway to participate in a debate. Families of sick and terminally ill patients in Cork were particularly upset that Doyal was to give a lecture to medical professionals without the opposing view being presented.

Other interesting posts on this topic:

Glad mum didn’t kill herself  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1258710/Mum-wanted-die-convincing-live-gave-gift-measure-.html

Stop Assisted Suicide  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/7313579/Assisted-suicide-must-not-be-legalised-through-the-back-door.html