Anglican Mainstream

Oncology has an important article out that every media writer should read. Reporters ubiquitously write or speak of euthanasia as having “tight safeguards” against abuse. They don’t work–and I submit they are not supposed to, but rather, are there merely to give the illusion of control. We have seen that even in Oregon, the safeguards are illusory–as reported by Drs. Kathleen Foley and Herbert Hendin in the Michigan Law Review–which I discussed here at SHS. As far as I know, that important paper was never reported in mainstream media outlets.

 

Now, Canadian palliative care expert, Dr. José Pereira, presents a detailed paper on just how poorly guidelines do at protecting the vulnerable. It’s an important work, far too long to do justice to here, and I urge all interested in this issue–regardless of their views–read the whole thing. From his paper, “Legalizing Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide: The Illusion of Safeguards and Controls:”