REALdignitytas forum rejects introduction of Euthanasia legislation

“There is no system of legal euthanasia or assisted suicide that can protect our most vulnerable community members” said Dr Nick Cooling from REALdignitytas today.

Any legislation that allows doctors to legally and intentionally kill or assist to kill their terminally ill patients on request is a monumental shift in the age-old principle of the “inviolability of life” that underpins both criminal law and medical ethics.

Premier Giddings is simply wrong when she states that “There is no evidence from any international jurisdiction of these laws being abused”. There is considerable evidence that in those jurisdictions where such systems are legal, that the aged, disabled and handicapped babies are indeed exposed to risk. A recent High Court decision in Ireland confirms that the evidence is clear that the vulnerable are put at risk.

Proponents for the legalisation have advertised that they want ‘the comfort of knowing that legislation is there.’ The problem is that international experience shows that legalising euthanasia provides absolutely no comfort to those who are euthanised without their consent.

Studies published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal show that in the Flanders region of Belgium, where euthanasia is legal, 32% of assisted deaths are without the patients explicit consent. 47% of assisted deaths were not reported even though required by law.

No matter what systems or protocols are put in place, there are no legislative safeguards that can fully protect the most vulnerable within our community.

Since publishing their information paper earlier in the year, Premier Giddings and Greens Minister McKim have not opened themselves up to public scrutiny regarding major flaws in the paper. There has been no public analysis of the many criticisms known to have been highlighted by organisations and individuals who responded to the information paper.

The paper relied heavily on selective and deficient research, much of which was funded by known pro-euthanasia advocates, designed to paint a picture of flawless implementation of legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide systems around the world. The main authorities cited by Giddings and McKim are the result of known pro-euthanasia initiatives. Compelling evidence which raises serious concern about the operation of these laws internationally was ignored in the paper.

There has been no Inquiry, Bill or Motion of the Tasmanian Parliament that gives Ms Giddings and Mr McKim, leaders of the Labor/Greens coalition, authority to proceed with euthanasia legislation.
Previous Tasmanian Inquiries in 1998 and 2009 have not recommended proceeding with such legislation, and numerous International Parliamentary Inquiries have rejected such proposals as posing a very real danger to the most vulnerable in our community.

Tasmanian politicians have no right to risk the lives of the elderly and vulnerable.
Dr Nick Cooling General Practitioner REALdignitytas