Experts troubled by Canada’s euthanasia laws
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https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-toronto-7c631558a457188d2bd2b5cfd360a867
Alan Nichols had a history of depression and other medical issues, but none were life-threatening. When the 61-year-old Canadian was hospitalized in June 2019 over fears he might be suicidal, he asked his brother to “bust him out” as soon as possible.
Within a month, Nichols submitted a request to be euthanized and he was killed, despite concerns raised by his family and a nurse practitioner.
His application for euthanasia listed only one health condition as the reason for his request to die: hearing loss.
Nichols’ family reported the case to police and health authorities, arguing that he lacked the capacity to understand the process and was not suffering unbearably — among the requirements for euthanasia. They say he was not taking needed medication, wasn’t using the cochlear implant that helped him hear, and that hospital staffers improperly helped him request euthanasia.
“Alan was basically put to death,” his brother Gary Nichols said.
Disability experts say the story is not unique in Canada, which arguably has the world’s most permissive euthanasia rules — allowing people with serious disabilities to choose to be killed in the absence of any other medical issue.
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I wonder if the family would have preferred that he just hanged himself in the garage or basement for one of them to find a few days later?
As for the author, Nicole Winfield, there is nothing short of outlawing euthanasia that she would support. It’s a matter of faith on her part:
https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/people/nicole-winfield
I at least respect and understand her point of view. I just do not agree with it entirely.
FYI the law is under review at the moment.
