Posted on 09/06/2010 10:28:06 AM PDT by wagglebee
The national debate on euthanasia and helping end the life of someone who wants to die is about to be rekindled by public hearings kicking off this week in Quebec.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal under the Criminal Code, a federal statute that provinces cannot change. But Quebec is determined to weigh in on the issue and has set up a commission that will travel to some 10 cities, starting tomorrow in Montreal.
At the forefront of this debate in Quebec are people like Ghislain Leblond, a 65-year-old former deputy minister in the government who suffers from a neurological degenerative illness.
The man, now wheelchair bound, is fighting to get the right, if his life becomes unbearable, to request -- and be given -- assistance to die.
"This is not something easy for me or for my family. No one wishes to be euthanized," Leblond said in an interview.
"But if what I fear the most -- which is to become totally paralyzed and a prisoner of my body -- happens, I want to have the freedom to decide to seek assistance to put an end to my life."
Leblond wants Quebec to follow the example of Belgium that has allowed assisted suicide but under strict guidelines.
"It's a question of freedom of choice and people will be able to make a decision according to their values," he said.
Two U.S. states, Oregon and Washington, have adopted a law similar to that of Belgium, while the Netherlands and Luxembourg have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The Quebec commission will also hear from passionate opponents to euthanasia, who fear a "slippery slope" and that the criteria could change or be ignored. They are worried some people could feel pressured to seek help to end their life if they feel they are a burden for their family.
Groups like Living With Dignity, a non-religious group focused on end-of-life issues, argue some people might automatically support euthanasia because they're not informed. They are also calling for better palliative care.
The president of the commission, Geoffrey Kelley, a Liberal member of legislature, expects the hearings to be very emotional. "These questions are deep and we are talking about the value of life, the conditions around these difficult and poignant moments in life," he said.
Observers say there is no momentum to amend Canada's law that criminalizes assisted suicide and euthanasia.
"I think it will have zero influence on the current government except that it will increase the pressure (for a public debate)," said Arthur Schafer, director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba.
But ethicist Margaret Somerville would not be surprised to see Quebec seek a constitutional challenge by arguing assisted suicide is a health-care issue that falls under provincial jurisdiction.
Which is EXACTLY what happens every time it's legalized.
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Why not let the people decide?
I realize that this is Canada and they are free to destroy themselves if they want.
But, as far as America goes, WHY do you think the people have ANY right to vote away unalienable rights? Do you believe that anything can be decided by majority vote? Our Founding Fathers certainly didn't believe this.
I think you know what I mean.
Precisely. And even a wheelchair bound person, or even one paralyzed in bed, can voluntariy refuse nutrition or life saving measures, if they desire. There are ways to commit suicide and books about such ways.
What these people want is the medical stamp of approval to commit suicide so it is public and socially acceptable. Utter selfishness.
The entire issue being discussed is riddled with confusion and ignorance.
Rights are not the same things as liberties, freedoms, privilege, nor power, authority, or volition.
Rights, by their very etymology, are established by God.
The soul is provided life by God. Nothing man can do will ever remove that life. Man might destroy the body, separating the soul from the body, also known as death, a state of existence involving separation, but the life remains in the soul.
In God’s Plan, He provides for the first death, as well as the second death, for those so condemned, who have not received salvation.
Any human attempting to take the life of themselves or another, must do so within legitimate authority or risk usurping the authority of God, with respective judgment and penalty.
Every human still alive in the body, still has an opportunity in His Plan to advance as a winner by God’s Plan. Such winners have eternal rewards predestined for them from eternity past, but unless they persevere, they will not receive those rewards at the bema seat judgment.
Euthanasia, be it intentioned by the victim or the assistant, wither falls into the category of premeditated murder or suicide. It is not merciful, because it usurps the authority of God. There is no right to die, but all will suffer the first death. Some might abuse their freedom, taking liberties to usurp legitimate authority, and even confuse legitimate authority with substitute counterfeit authority, but none of this fools God.
Also be not fooled, that there are many an adversary who hate believers and unbelievers alike, not only degenerating into murderers, but also some who are liars who will murder, seeking acceptance of authority in their actions to avoid accountability.
What do you mean?
Excellent post!
Well stated.
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