Quebec physicians tentatively propose legal euthanasia

The College, it seems, is not proposing legalising euthanasia as much as assisted suicide. Nevertheless, this is a remarkable position for the College to take.

Giving medication to alleviate suffering that has the incidental effect of hastening death is quite different from giving medication to cause death.

Many argue there is danger that the patient will not be in a position to make a properly informed decision when ill and in pain. And the requirement that a doctor be "part of the decision" raises other significant issues.

As we saw recently in Toronto, "hopeless" cases aren't always so and sometimes expediency is gussied up as necessity.

My own thinking isn't terribly focussed but the College's suggestion troubles me:

College's task force on ethics believes province's society has evolved to the point that it would be acceptable in limited circumstances

Rhéal Séguin Quebec City — From Thursday's Globe and Mail

With great caution, the Quebec College of Physicians is prepared to cross the line on the controversial debate over euthanasia and propose that it be included "as part of the appropriate care in certain particular circumstances."

After examining the issue for three years, the College's task force on ethics concluded that Quebec society has evolved to the point where it could tolerate euthanasia in specific circumstances. The task force's recommendation will likely be part of a "reflection" document the College will release next fall, hoping that a public debate on the issue will pressure the federal government to eventually amend the criminal code.
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It is common knowledge that physicians often have no choice but to constantly increase medication such as morphine to alleviate the pain and suffering of terminally ill patients.

Sometimes, the pain is so unbearable that the amount of painkillers or analgesics used to control it can be fatal. And this, according to the Quebec College of Physicians, can be viewed as a form of euthanasia.
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The College says there are three conditions required in order to amend the criminal code, which currently defines euthanasia as a criminal act. The first would require that the decision be made in accordance with the patient's will. A physician alone could not decide, Dr. Robert said. The second condition would require that clear rules be established to protect society from abuses. And thirdly, the doctor has to be part of the decision-making process and not someone who simply carries out orders.

James Morton

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