People who've followed this blog for a while know that I'm unapologetically pro-life. I understand the ethical dilemmas involved with some of the situations that pro-choice folks use to support their position. But surely even the most avid pro-choicer might find reason to pause at this one.Edith Schippers - the Dutch Health Minister - has recently announced that Holland is considering plans to allow mobile teams of physicians and nurses to make house calls ending in death. Specifically, if someone's personal physician refuses to dispense lethal doses of drugs to their patient, the mobile unit could be dispatched to do the job.
Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that Holland is a trailblazer in considering mobile death units. In 2002, Holland became the first nation since Nazi Germany that legalized the procedure. (I didn't know that - did you?)
According to this article, "The mobile units are being aggressively promoted by Dutch euthanasia campaign groups who want to expand the eligibility criteria for euthanasia and also to open facilities specifically for euthanasia... They claim that 80 per cent of people with dementia or mental illnesses were being 'missed' by the country’s euthanasia laws. They are supported by the Dutch Medical Association which this summer issued guidance effectively saying even people who complained of being lonely could qualify for euthanasia if it constitutes 'unbearable and lasting suffering'".
To those who've spoken out against euthanasia, the government explained that they never allow euthanasia except at the request of the patient. At the same time, as we read above, 80% of those with dementia or mental illness are being "missed". Pardon my asking, but wouldn't you think there might be a question of competence if a demented or seriously mentally ill person asked to be euthanized?
At any rate, I've been a nurse for nearly 40 years. I have never - and will never - taken action to deliberately kill a patient. I will do everything in my power to advocate for a suffering patient to receive compassionate care that enables them to be comfortable. I firmly believe that there are times when it makes absolutely no sense to do "everything medically possible" to sustain life. I will support anyone's decision to refuse "heroic measures". I supported my own father - a man I love and still miss - when he made that decision.
But the Dutch Medical Association's suggestion that even lonely people could qualify for euthanasia points out one of the biggest dangers of allowing ourselves to decide who lives and who dies.
How do we know when to stop? Where is the line over which we will not allow ourselves to step?
Is there such a line?
Wow. Just wow. So it has begun and will be our own undoing. Because we won't call murder, murder- we shall reap what we have sown. Come, Lord Jesus! And soon! Sharing this with my readers. Thanks !
ReplyDeleteI don't have words! I especially cannot believe that lonely people qualify. I have had very lonely periods in my life before and if I were able to call a mobile team then my beautiful children wouldn't be alive and I wouldn't have been able to achieve the life I wanted and love. They are basically helping people commit suicide. Sorry I'll stop ranting. I'm visiting from Thirsty Thursday!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is right to compare those who choose euthanasia with The Holocaust. I suffer from more than one auto-immune disorders. My kids understand that at some point it will be too painful for me to continue. That is my right to decide when it is time.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered you. Great post. Some States already allow people to decide to kill themselves. Washington and Oregon being two I am aware of. Living in Washington, my mother was terrified that someone was going to determine her life was no longer worth maintaining. She was actually frightened to go to the Dr. She did live to 90 and passed away in February from a massive stroke.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense that people with severe illness are immobile and isolated, and therefore lack access to healthcare services. (Plus, wouldn't you rather die in your home than in a hospital?) I think you need to do more research about what the actual policy is. You don't have any citations in this to let us know where you are getting your information.
ReplyDeleteIf someone wants to die, or if they expressed before their illness progressed that they would want to die, then that should be respected, regardless of your PERSONAL opinions. If your work is really about the patient, then you have to respect their wishes.
I should correct myself, I found your link. "Patients must convince doctors they are making an informed choice in the face of unbearable suffering." Doesn't that address your concerns about consent?
ReplyDeleteI don't actually have a problem with this. There are certain conditions with which life becomes excruciating. If the person afflicted and their doctors are in agreement, I don't understand why that should bother anyone else. These are not cases of depression, impetuous decisions made in the heat of passion.
ReplyDeleteThose northern-European countries make me shake my head all the time...in some ways, they do such good things (although politically unpopular here) for their people, and yet hand in hand with it goes things ilke this. It is a different view of life, that's for sure...
ReplyDeletePerhaps someone will have much to gain from such actions. How the law of the jungle says, the strongest will survive.
ReplyDeleteThis is heart-breakingly sad - including some of the comments. There is a price to be paid for playing god, and the price will be high. Only God has the "right" or "power" to decide when and/or how we will die - not us.
ReplyDeleteSuffering is hard. To watch someone we love suffer, is hard. We should do all we can to elevate the pain and suffering of others (and ourselves). BUT we, as believing Catholics, know and believe that suffering is REDEMPTIVE. We follow the crucified Christ and must trust that our sufferings, when united with Christ, has meaning - deep meaning.
The Dutch have gone crazy with killing. The line we cannot cross under the law of God is "Thou shalt not kill." Anything we do to actively cause someone's death is murder. Anything we don't do, outside of heroic measures, is murder when we could have saved a life. Our bodies are on loan from God. He alone has the right to decide when to take our life.
ReplyDeleteSince I have chronic pain issues along with other uncurable disorders, and since I am 66, I am greatly concerned that the whole "right to die" business will soon become "the duty to die."
In addition, a depressed person, which is often the case with chronic or terminal illnesses and often the case with loneliness, is not capable of making a rational decision about ending his life. Speaking from experience I can say that looking back on the times when I didn't want to wake up in the morning, although I did not intend to take my own life, I would have been extremely vulnerable to someone trying to get me to kill myself. I believe this is going on a lot more than people think.
People want to die when they have no hope. Hope is impossible without God. The many people who have given up God have given up hope. The answer is abdication of our utilitarian, materialistic life style in favor of building a strong relationship with God Who never forgets us for even a moment.
I'm really glad you're writing about euthanasia. Most of the pro-life emphasis today is on abortion, but the sick and depressed are in as much danger as babies in the womb.
I hope these were none of my Dutch relatives drawing up these guidelines!
ReplyDeleteThis is always a very touchy subject. Having worked in the health care field for many years I have seen families struggle with both side of this issue. This next statement is my personal opinion:) "I think regardless of what side you are on you shouldn't impose your beliefs on any one else because you haven't walked in their footsteps" It is a tough debate for all sides. Thanks for linking up to the NOBH
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I did not know this. Thank you for the information.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte