The story continues, recapped in LifeSiteNews...
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WINNIPEG, June 10, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Jocelyn Downie, the Canada Research Chair of Health Law and Policy said at an End-of-Life Ethics & Decision-Making conference at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg yesterday that doctors do not have the legal right to withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment against a patient's wishes.
Downie, who is Canada's foremost player in interpreting health law issues, stated that there is no legal precedent in Canada that gives doctors the authority to remove a feeding tube or issue a do-not-resuscitate order against a patient's wishes.
Downie directly contradicted a notice from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, who asserted in their February 1, 2008 policy statement that a physician could unilaterally decide to remove life-sustaining treatment, including fluids and food, in certain circumstances.
The statement said that even when a patient is likely to regain a level of self-awareness, the physician could still withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment if the doctor obtains agreement from at least one other physician. The doctor also must seek agreement with the family, but if agreement cannot be achieved, the doctor must give a 96-hour notice before removing life-sustaining treatment, including fluids and food.
Downie said that the guidelines need to be revised because they go too far. Doctors can't medically determine whether a life is worth living. "I think it's taking too much authority for physicians and I don't think it's legally acceptable or ethical," stated Downie................
Canadian Doctors Do Not Have the Right to Remove Life-Sustaining Treatment against the Wishes of the Patient
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A Supreme choice for Charlie? Is this Dudley Do-Right?
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TALLAHASSEE — Dudley Goodlette had a successful career in the Florida Legislature. His latest assignment was giving legal advice to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
Now the Republican lawyer from Naples wants to be a justice of the Florida Supreme Court, where four of seven justices will leave by the end of 2009.
"I think I would add value to the court, and I'm anxious to convey that," Goodlette said Tuesday as his name circulated among prominent lawyers and supporters of Gov. Charlie Crist, who will make an unprecedented string of court picks.
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Unlike most applicants for the court, Goodlette held a partisan political office and has a voting record that reflects his views.
He voted with the Republican House majority on two highly contentious issues struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court: allowing then-Gov. Jeb Bush to override the courts in the Terri Schiavo case in October 2003 and tax-supported school vouchers in April 1999..................
Former state Rep. Dudley Goodlette wants seat on state high court
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