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26 June, 2004
New Zealand euthanasia survey
Publication of a survey in the New Zealand Medical Journal as led to claims
that euthanasia is widespread in New Zealand. The survey had a 48%
rate of return. However, the majority (61%) of respondents
reported that they had withdrawn treatment or increased pain relief with the
probability that death would be hastened, which is not necessarily
euthanasia. About 32% (226 respondents) reported that decisions to
withdraw treatment or increase pain relief included at least a partial
intention to hasten death. Only 39 physicians (5.6% of
respondents) reported that death was caused by a drug that they
administered. Nonetheless, the authors appear to argue for
legalization of euthanasia on the grounds that physicians now involved with
it experience profound psychological effects, which are attributed to the
'burden' of keeping the practice secret. The report does not appear to
have considered what kind of burden the legalization of euthanasia might
impose on physicians who do not wish to be associated with it [Abstract].
Retired physician
defies UK authorities
Dr Michael Irwin, a retired physician from Surrey, England, and former
chairman of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, has dared British authorities
to prosecute him for counselling people to go to Zurich, Switzerland, to
commit suicide. [Independent, 26 June] Meanwhile, a coroner has
concluded that a mentally ill couple had committed suicide at the Dignitas
suicide facility with help from an assistant. They were not terminally
ill, and their son was unaware of their plans to kill themselves. [This is
London, 22 June]
21 June, 2004
Mother wins wrongful
birth suit in UK
The Leeds Teaching Hospital in the United Kingdom has been successfully sued
by a woman because her child was born with genetic abnormalities affecting
bladder, bowels and genitals. The woman argued that she would have
aborted the infant if she had been informed of the disabilities.
Health care workers who object to eugenic abortions for reasons of
conscience experience considerable pressure in jurisdictions where wrongful
birth suits are permitted. [Leeds
Today-01;
Leeds Today-02]
Diocese
of Sacramento appeals Catholic Charities ruling
The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, California will appeal a California
Supreme Court decision that would require Catholic Charities and other
Catholic organizations to provide employees with health insurance for
contraceptives. The question put on appeal is: "Whether the
State may compel an organ of the Catholic Church, contrary to its religious
teachings, to include contraceptives in the prescription drug plan it
provides to its employees, and thereby to finance conduct that the Church
teaches is sinful." [Diocesan
brief]
20 June, 2004
Moral controversy
recognized in embryo research
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics has recommended to the
Parliamentary Select Committee for Science and Technology that human embryo
research should be ended because of the "complex and grave ethical problems"
it raises. [Scotland on Sunday, 20 June, 2004]The recognition of such
controversy underlines the importance of protection of conscience
legislation for researchers as well as front-line health care workers.
15 June, 2004
Disputes about morning-after pill continue in South America
Chilean government plans to distribute the potentially abortifacient
morning-after pill to rape complainants is being opposed by the Chilean
Catholic Bishops' National Bioethics Commission, which asserts that the pill
violates the country's constitution. [Zenit, 15 June][Chilean
Health Ministry defied by mayor] In Peru, the minister of health,
who is a neurologist, has agreed to allow the free distribution of the pill,
asserting that she would not have done so if the drug attacked human life.
The head of the Health Commission in the Congress, who is a surgeon,
disagrees with the decision and is contemplating legal action against the
health minister. [Reuters, 15 June]
5 June, 2004
Euthanasia in the Netherlands
Dementia has been declared a sufficient reason for euthanasia in
Holland. A decision by the Procurators' General Council not to
prosecute a doctor who assisted in the suicide of an Alzheimer's patient has
now been endorsed by the Justice Minister. Meanwhile, the Dutch Health
Minister appears to have some concerns about the accuracy of reporting of
euthanasia. The number of cases of euthanasia reported by doctors has
fallen for the fourth year in a row. It is not clear whether this is
because of improved palliative care or failure to report all cases.
[British Medical Journal, 5 June]
2 June, 2004
Bulgarian and South Australian parliaments reject euthanasia, assisted
suicide
93 out of 107 Bulgarian MP's have voted against the legalization of
euthanasia, while the "Dying in Dignity Bill" was defeated in the South
Australian parliament by a vote of 13-8. The bill would have legalized
physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill or those in "unbearable
pain."
Abortion controversy
continues in Kenya
A doctor and two nurses have been arrested during the investigation of the
dumping of the bodies of 15 aborted infants at the Ngong' River in Nairobi.
The Attorney General reaffirmed the government's intention to prosecute
those who procure abortions. Pro-abortion activists responded to the
discovery of the bodies by calling for the legalization of the procedure.
[The Guardian, 1 June] Legalization of the procedure would have a
significant impact on conscientious objectors working in health care.
[See previous item-
Drive for legalization
of abortion in Kenya;
also, No
Place for Abortion in African Traditional Life - Some Reflections (2002)]
1 June, 2004
Researchers in
UK fuse frogs' eggs and human nuclei
A team at Cambridge University has fused frogs' eggs and nuclei of human
cells. Such research is legal because the United Kingdom's laws do not
ban the creation of hybrids. The experiment illustrates the need for
careful drafting of legislation dealing with artificial reproductive
technology, as well as the potential for conflicts of conscience within the
research community as scientists move in unanticipated directions.
[The Times of London, 1 June]
31 May, 2004
Eugenic screening by
abortion in the UK
The Office for National Statistics in the United Kingdom has reported
that between 2001 and 2002 there was an 8% increase in abortions after
the 24th week of gestation in order to eliminate infants believed to have
deformities like cleft lips or palates. A 17% increase in abortions to
eliminate infants with Down Syndrome was reported during the same period.
The increases are probably related to improved eugenic screening techniques
that identify potential birth defects. London's Metropolitan
University ethicist Jacqueline Laing warned that the trend toward eugenics
is "obliterating the willingness of people to accept disability." [Daily
Mail] The trend also suggests that increasing pressure will be brought
to bear on conscientious objectors in the medical and health care
professions.
27 May, 2004
County Health
Department settles for $40,000.00
While refusing to admit liability, the DeKalb County Health Department
in Illinois has agreed to pay $40,000.00 to settle a suit brought by Faith
Mancivaiz. Moncivaiz was a secretary for the Department who sued
because she was denied promotion from a part-time secretarial position to a
full-time position because she expressed reluctance to participate directly
or indirectly in abortion counselling. [News
release]
26 May, 2004
New
York pharmacist refuses to dispense morning-after pill
An Eckerd pharmacist in Rochester, New York, refused to dispense the
potentially abortifacient morning-after pill to a patron for moral and
religious reasons, but directed the woman to another pharmacy to have the
prescription filled. Eckerd has supported the pharmacist for that
reason, despite criticism from some sources, including the patron. In
this case the pharmacist does not appear to have objections to referral,
which is a frequent problem for other objectors.
Euthanasia/assisted suicide nets probation term in Tasmania
An 88 year old Tasmanian euthanasia advocate had her son help her to commit
suicide by giving her an overdose of sleeping pills and placing a plastic
bag over her head. John Stuart Godrey was given a one year suspended
sentence (probation) after pleading guilty to the charge. Justice
Peter Underwood stated that Godfrey was acting from "compassion and love".
His mother was suffering from chronic back pain and hip injuries and felt
that life had become "a chore". The sentence does not serve to deter
others or to denounce the act, and for that reason will likely lead to
increased acceptance of the practice and pressure for legalization.
25 May, 2004
Swiss suicide
facility will not refuse anyone
71 year old Ludwig Minelli, the founder of the Swiss assisted suicide
organization, Dignitas, has said that the organization will not
refuse any patients who requests assisted suicide, regardless of their
medical condition. Minelli was speaking to The Telegraph, a
newspaper in the United Kingdom, after news that a 76 year old Briton
had committed suicide at Dignitas within 24 hours of his arrival. 76
year old Gordon Hurst suffered from Parkinson's Disease and flew to
Switzerland after watching a television documentary about the Swiss group.
280 people have committed suicide with the assistance of Dignitas
since it began operations in 1998. A report in March of this year
indicated that Switzerland was planning to impose some restrictions on
assisted suicide by visitors (Swiss move to reduce suicide tourism).
In February, 2004, the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences indicated that
assisted suicide might be an appropriate option (Ambiguous
Swiss statement permits assisted suicide). Both reports can lead
one to conclude that Dignitas is causing state and medical
authorities to respond in a regulatory manner, which would effectively
establish assisted suicide as an officially approved and not merely legal
procedure. This is likely to have gradually accumulating adverse
consequences for those who have a different view. This is an
interesting development, since the separation of assisted suicide from
normal medical practice through the activity of a private group like
Dignitas might have been seen as the natural solution to conflicts of
conscience within the health care professions.
Bill reported to approve
euthanasia
Israel's Knesset is to deal with a bill which is being described as one
that would allow "euthanasia by omission" or "passive euthanasia." In fact,
the news report indicates that the bill would allow doctors to decline to
treat terminally ill patients, and it is not clear whether or not this
refers to extraordinary or ordinary measures. The decision not to
apply extraordinary or disproportionate treatment would not be considered
euthanasia by most conscientious objectors. Failure to make these
distinctions in reporting on the bill invites the conclusion that euthanasia
is legitimate in some circumstances, something which objectors would deny. [Maariv]
24 May, 2004
Pro-euthanasia play,
documentary
Euthanasia advocacy in New Zealand has moved to the theatre. A play
based on Lesley Martin's book To Die Like a Dog opened at the end of
May. It will be filmed for a documentary. It will be performed
once and filmed for a documentary. Lesley Martin was sentenced to 15 months
imprisonment for attempting to murder her mother. [The New Zealand Herald,
24 May]
20 May, 2004
Chilean Health Ministry
defied by mayor
The Chilean Health Ministry has modified its original instruction on the
distribution of the morning-after pill. The first directive, in
mid-April, ordered its general distribution. The latest order
restricts the distribution to rape complainants. The Health Ministry
has threatened to fine mayors who refuse to follow the directive.
However, Marta Ehlers, the mayor of Lo Barnechea, Chile, continues to
refuse the order.
12 May, 2004
Spanish
physicians to be forced to perform abortions
A bill backed by the Spanish government will force doctors to perform
abortions or lose their licences to practise, and create a list of doctors
who refuse to perform abortions. [LifeSiteNews.com]
Euthanasia in France
14 of 18 deaths investigated at a French hospital have been found to be the
result of euthanasia. Four of the patients died from 'active'
euthanasia; the rest died after having been given tranquillizers that could
have cause fatal respiratory slowdowns. The French justice minister
appears to be suggesting that physicians be allowed to participate in
assisted suicide or euthanasia. [The Guardian]
Drive for legalization
of abortion in Kenya
Duncan Mwangi, a sociology
teacher in Nairobi, asserts that is nearly impossible to legalize abortion
in a society like Kenya's, where most people are African and religious. His
comments follow claims by International Projects Assistance Services (IPAS)
that abortion should be legalized in Kenya to prevent deaths and injury from
illegal abortions. Muslims and Christians, who form the majority in
Kenya, have opposed attempts to legalize abortion. [CNS
News] [No
Place for Abortion in African Traditional Life - Some Reflections (2002)]
Canadian MP's and Physicians for Life call for protection of conscience laws
Canadian Member of Parliament Maurice Vellacott issued a
statement about the need for protection of conscience legislation in
Canada during a news conference held by the Parliamentary Pro-Life
Caucus. Unlike bills having government support, Vellacott's private
member's bill
C-276
has not progressed through the House of Commons. A news release from
Canadian Physicians for Life drew attention to the problem of
ethics profiling, illustrated by the
case
of the Christian medical student at the University of Manitoba who was
almost denied graduation because of differences with his preceptors about
abortion and related issues.
10 May, 2004
Illinois ambulance attendant
fired
The American Center for Law and Justice, which
specializes in constitutional law, today filed a federal lawsuit against an
ambulance company in Elmhurst, Illinois on behalf of an employee who was
fired for following her religious beliefs and refusing to transport a
patient to an abortion facility for an elective abortion. [Ambulance
Attendant Fired]
6 May, 2004
Judge's ruling may result in starvation and dehydration of patient
Judge Douglas Baird of Pinellas County Circuit Court in Florida has
struck down an emergency law passed by the Florida legislature to prevent
patients from being starved and dehydrated to death. Baird ruled that
the law was unconstitutional; his decision will likely be appealed.
The case concerns Terri Schiavo, a severely disabled woman who has been
dependent on assisted nutrition and hydration. Her husband has
repeatedly tried to have the feeding tube removed so that she will die, on
the grounds that she would not like to remain alive in such a condition.
He has been opposed by her parents, who have now been denied visits to their
daughter. The feeding tube has been removed twice in the past.
The first time a court ordered it reinserted; the second time the
legislature passed 'Terri's law' to allow the state governor to intervene.
The see-saw battle demonstrates the potential for conflicts of conscience
among health care workers over withdrawal of assisted nutrition and
hydration from a patient who is not dying.
5 May, 2004
Babies conceived for tissue
The Reproductive Genetics Institute of Chicago is producing babies to be
used as tissue donors to help cure siblings who are ill. Nine women
were impregnated with genetically selected IVF embryos; five gave birth.
Stem cells will be harvested for donation. Although the practice is
controversial, it is becoming more frequent. [Chicago Sun Times]
Controversy in
Chile over morning-after pill
Franciso Cardinal Javier Errázuriz Ossa of Chile has condemned
government plans to distribute the potentially abortifacient morning-after
pill free to women who complain of rape, and called upon mayors to refuse to
obey the government directive. In response, the Chilean Minister of
Health has suggested that the Cardinal's statement is "an act of rebellion
by the Church" and threatened the mayors with sanctions if they refuse
to distribute the drug.[Zenit;
LifeSiteNews.com]
3 May, 2004
Papal
statement on nutrition and hydration under study
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is studying the statement by Pope John
Paul II that forbids withdrawal of nutrition and hydration from patients who
are not dying. Some bioethicists who profess Catholicism are reported
to be unwilling to accept the pope's teaching on the subject. The
situation may place those who wish to adhere to papal teaching in conflict
not only with secular authorities, but with authorities operating Catholic
institutions with policies inconsistent with the pope's statement. [Pope declares nutrition and hydration 'morally obligatory' in principle]
Ethical concerns raised about Merck Pharmaceuticals vaccines
At a shareholder's meeting in April, the board of Merck Pharmaceuticals was
confronted by shareholder representatives of Human Life International and
Children of God for Life, who challenged them to withdraw vaccines derived
from deliberate abortions, and fully disclose the company's involvement in
such research. The speakers pointed out that the RA 27/3 stem cell
line used to create the MMR vaccine was knowingly derived from the last of
27 babies "who were deliberately aborted in a controlled setting" to obtain
the live virus. They also criticized the company for using aborted
fetal tissue to develop the PER-C6 stem cell line that will be used in an
AIDS vaccine. On the other hand, they thanked the board for returning
"ethically produced" vaccines for measles and mumps to the marketplace.
The use of vaccines derived from deliberately aborted infants or other
controversial sources can create moral conflicts for health care
professionals, parents and others who do not wish to be associated with such
products.
30 April, 2004
Euthanasia discussed in New
Zealand
Arrogance and lack of remorse displayed by euthanasia advocate Leslie Martin
of New Zealand were noted by the judge who sentenced her to 15 months
imprisonment for attempting to murder her mother. The judge commented
that her actions were "at the mercy
killing end of the spectrum." Martin will appeal the sentence.
The case continues to generate calls for the legalization of euthanasia in
New Zealand, which would have significant impact on conscientious objectors.
28 April, 2004
University of Manitoba accommodates pro-life medical student
A Christian medical student at the University of Manitoba will be credited
with having passed his rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology and will
graduate from medical school. He had been failed primarily because of
differences with his preceptors on issues related to abortion and
contraception, and the failing mark was upheld in successive appeals.
It is not clear why University authorities decided to accommodate the
student, having previously been unwilling to accept his position. [Should
doctors be forced to abandon their faith?]
Wisconsin
petition drive in support of pharmacists
In the spring of 2005,
Pro-Life Wisconsin plans to deliver a petition with 15,000 signatures to the
state legislature in support of freedom of conscience for pharmacists.
The petition is available on-line at
www.prolifewisconsin.org. [Pro-Life Wisconsin Kicks Off Pharmacists Conscience Clause Petition Drive]
27 April, 2004
Decriminalization of euthanasia recommended in Europe
A Swiss MP has claimed that euthanasia is widely practised in Europe,
although legal only in Belgium and the Netherlands. Dick Marty wants
euthanasia decriminalized so that it can be regulated.
22 April, 2004
Conscience
legislation passes in Michigan
The
Conscientious Objector Policy Act has passed the House of
Representatives in Michigan. The Act protects health-care workers,
insurers and facilities generally, and provides more limited protection for
pharmacists, who must still dispense birth control pills. The passage
of the bill was applauded by a spokesman for the Michigan Catholic
Conference, though the bill fails to protect pharmacists who have moral
objections to contraception. Three other protective bills were passed
at the same time. [HB
5276,
HB5277, and
HB 5278]
21 April, 2004
Conscience
legislation vetoed by Wisconsin governor
The governor of Wisconsin vetoed
Assembly Bill 67, a bill that would
have ensured respect for freedom of conscience of medical professionals and facilities
opposed to procedures that end human life. None of those procedures
would have been prohibited by the bill, but conscientious objectors would
have been protected from discrimination, reprisal and lawsuits.
Nonetheless, the bill was not without pro-life critics, who asserted that it
offered no protection to pharmacists. [Planned Parenthood Launches Campaign of Outright Lies
] [Governor
Delivers a Slap in the Face to the Medical Community! ] [
Planned Parenthood Continues Their Campaign of Lies
]
14 April, 2004
Sex-change
ordered for 13 year old Australian girl
A 13 year old girl will be allowed to begin hormonal treatments to
suppress further female development. She plans to have sex-change
surgery and male hormone treatments to assume the appearance of a boy.
News reports state that the girl's father died after raising her until she
was six years old, and that she has since been a ward of the state while
living with an aunt. She has dressed in boy's clothes and been
involved in boy's games and activities for some time. Testimony from a
psychiatrist supporting the application in Family Court reflected a
philosophy that embraces the notion of a mind-body split: "She feels angry
and cheated that her body is female. . .". The ruling has generated
considerable controversy. It is not difficult to imagine that some
health care workers would object to participating in the treatment
authorized by the court. [BBC;
Sydney Morning Herald]
12 April, 2004
Orphaned
New York children used in drug experiments
As many as 100 HIV infected children in Incarnation Children's Center, an
orphanage run by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York and the New York
Administration for Children's Services, were used as test subjects for
experimental drugs. Parents of most of the children were dead or could
not be traced. A panel of doctors and lawyers gave permission to use
the children in the tests, which were conducted by Columbia University
doctors. They were used in at least 36 experiments since 1995 to test
"safety," "tolerance" and "toxicity" of drugs for a variety of illnesses
related to HIV infection. There is a dispute as to whether the trials
ended in 2000 or 2002. The Alliance for Human Research Protection demanded an
investigation to determine if laws governing human research and informed
consent were obeyed. The controversy is a reminder of the potential
for conflicts of conscience among researchers and others involved in such
work.
10 April, 2004
Euthanasia
campaigner convicted of attempted murder
Lesley Martin, a euthanasia advocate and intensive care
nurse, has been convicted of attempted murder of her terminally ill mother,
who is now deceased. She is to be sentenced on 30 April. Calling
her conviction "unjust", Martin claims that she was following her
mother's wishes. She plans to have her book about the attempts to kill
her mother dramatized. A previous attempt to present the story
publicly failed when a theatre refused the work MP Peter plans to put
forward a new version of a medically-assisted suicide bill that was defeated last year. The New Zealand Medical Association
and Hospice New Zealand oppose such legislation.
7 April, 2004
Papal statement clarified
Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice-president of the Pontifical Academy for Life,
explained the recent statement by Pope John Paul II means that nutrition and
hydration are required as long as the patient is able to assimilate food and
fluids. They are not required when that is not the case. [Pope declares nutrition and hydration 'morally obligatory' in principle]
1 April, 2004
Assisted suicide bill
moves to committee
A House of Lords select committee consisting of peers who both
support and oppose euthanasia will study Lord Joffe's Assisted
Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill. The proposed statute is currently incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
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