Saturday 5 July 2008

Euthanasia legislation in Victoria

David Palmer comments.

Includes some useful statistics about euthanasia.

From his piece:

Overall, in Holland in 2005, there were about 12,660, or 9 per cent, of all deaths caused intentionally. A 2005 study showed that at least 50 per cent of patients killed under the Dutch euthanasia program were suffering from depression. A 1991 study showed that an average of three people a day underwent euthanasia without their knowledge or consent. Studies in 1991 and 1995 showed that, despite Dutch law requiring physicians to report physician-assisted death, the majority of deaths went unreported.

While Ms Hartland’s Bill limits euthanasia to adults 18 years and older, in Holland children up to the age of 12, including newborns, may now be killed by lethal injection with parental consent. Liberalisation of the law due to presenting cases is inevitable over time. This is precisely the Dutch experience.


Worth checking the whole article.

2 comments:

hardygreenwood said...

Interesting stats

Anonymous said...

Hi Gordon,

I have been really surprised despite prodding on my part and your effort here how I have totally failed over on the Sydney Anglican forum to generate the slightest degree of interest in the issues of euthanasia and abortion.

Why do you think this is so?

If the forum is representative of evangelicals we don't have much chance of withstanding the push on euthanasia or reverse the situation on abortion.

Looking forward to catching up with you on 21st next month.

David Palmer