Anyone faced with a terminal or debilitating illness or being incapacitated should have the basic right to choose to end their lives with dignity.
Some physicians are willing to provide the care, support and means to allow people to end their lives, others are not.
It comes down to a question of a person’s individual choice to end unbearable pain and suffering and that of a physician who chooses to assist in ending the patient’s life.
However, the right of a physician to say no is equally important as the right of an individual seeking doctor-assisted death.
The Supreme Court of Canada legalized doctor-assisted death with a unanimous ruling in February 2015 and gave the federal government 12 months to develop legislation. Legislation has not been passed yet and the court has granted a four-month extension, but a decision is coming soon.
When it comes to doctor assisted suicide, the devil is truly in the details.
The report of a parliamentary committee studying the issue included 21 recommendations and some justifiably raise concerns. It states the option should be open to mature minors and people suffering from mental illnesses.
As it stands physicians will be obligated to refer someone asking for help to die to a doctor who will be willing to do it, even when they themselves disagree.
Regulations can’t just extend to doctors. It’s clear any nurse, practitioner, pharmacist or anyone else involved needs to be protected against prosecution.
There are legitimate ethical and moral concerns on both sides.
There needs to be strict, evidence-based rules and regulations governing how physician assisted death is provided.
While some supporters of euthanasia may disagree with bringing courts in as an arbiter, court systems could be necessary in certain cases where psychiatric assessment is required or involving youths, or others who may choose to take matters into their own hands if they’re not given the option.
There needs to be a high threshold to ensure no one is being abused or denied their rights, and this goes for all sides.
