April-June, 2004
June
Publication of a survey in the New Zealand Medical Journal as led to claims
that euthanasia is widespread in New Zealand. The survey had a 48% rate of
return. However, the majority (61%) of respondents reported that they had
withdrawn treatment or increased pain relief with the probability that death
would be hastened, which is not necessarily euthanasia. About 32% (226
respondents) reported that decisions to withdraw treatment or increase pain
relief included at least a partial intention to hasten death. Only 39
physicians (5.6% of respondents) reported that death was caused by a drug
that they administered. Nonetheless, the authors appear to argue for
legalization of euthanasia on the grounds that physicians now involved with
it experience profound psychological effects, which are attributed to the
'burden' of keeping the practice secret. The report does not appear to have
considered what kind of burden the legalization of euthanasia might impose
on physicians who do not wish to be associated with it [Abstract].
Dr Michael Irwin, a retired physician from Surrey, England, and former
chairman of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, has dared British authorities
to prosecute him for counselling people to go to Zurich, Switzerland, to
commit suicide. [Independent, 26 June] Meanwhile, a coroner has concluded
that a mentally ill couple had committed suicide at the Dignitas suicide
facility with help from an assistant. They were not terminally ill, and
their son was unaware of their plans to kill themselves. [This is London, 22
June]
The Leeds Teaching Hospital in the United Kingdom has been successfully sued
by a woman because her child was born with genetic abnormalities affecting
bladder, bowels and genitals. The woman argued that she would have aborted
the infant if she had been informed of the disabilities. Health care workers
who object to eugenic abortions for reasons of conscience experience
considerable pressure in jurisdictions where wrongful birth suits are
permitted. [Leeds
Today-01;
Leeds Today-02]
The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, California will appeal a California
Supreme Court decision that would require Catholic Charities and other
Catholic organizations to provide employees with health insurance for
contraceptives. The question put on appeal is: "Whether the State may
compel an organ of the Catholic Church, contrary to its religious teachings,
to include contraceptives in the prescription drug plan it provides to its
employees, and thereby to finance conduct that the Church teaches is
sinful." [Diocesan
brief]
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics has recommended to the
Parliamentary Select Committee for Science and Technology that human embryo
research should be ended because of the "complex and grave ethical problems"
it raises. [Scotland on Sunday, 20 June, 2004]The recognition of such
controversy underlines the importance of protection of conscience
legislation for researchers as well as front-line health care workers.
Chilean government plans to distribute the potentially abortifacient
morning-after pill to rape complainants is being opposed by the Chilean
Catholic Bishops' National Bioethics Commission, which asserts that the pill
violates the country's constitution. [Zenit, 15 June][Chilean
Health Ministry defied by mayor] In Peru, the minister of health, who is
a neurologist, has agreed to allow the free distribution of the pill,
asserting that she would not have done so if the drug attacked human life.
The head of the Health Commission in the Congress, who is a surgeon,
disagrees with the decision and is contemplating legal action against the
health minister. [Reuters, 15 June]
Dementia has been declared a sufficient reason for euthanasia in
Holland. A decision by the Procurators' General Council not to prosecute a
doctor who assisted in the suicide of an Alzheimer's patient has now been
endorsed by the Justice Minister. Meanwhile, the Dutch Health Minister
appears to have some concerns about the accuracy of reporting of euthanasia.
The number of cases of euthanasia reported by doctors has fallen for the
fourth year in a row. It is not clear whether this is because of improved
palliative care or failure to report all cases. [British Medical Journal, 5
June]
93 out of 107 Bulgarian MP's have voted against the legalization of
euthanasia, while the "Dying in Dignity Bill" was defeated in the South
Australian parliament by a vote of 13-8. The bill would have legalized
physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill or those in "unbearable
pain."
A doctor and two nurses have been arrested during the investigation of the
dumping of the bodies of 15 aborted infants at the Ngong' River in Nairobi.
The Attorney General reaffirmed the government's intention to prosecute
those who procure abortions. Pro-abortion activists responded to the
discovery of the bodies by calling for the legalization of the procedure.
[The Guardian, 1 June] Legalization of the procedure would have a
significant impact on conscientious objectors working in health care. [See
previous item-
Drive for
legalization of abortion in Kenya; also,
No Place for Abortion in African Traditional Life - Some Reflections (2002)]
A team at Cambridge University has fused frogs' eggs and nuclei of human
cells. Such research is legal because the United Kingdom's laws do not ban
the creation of hybrids. The experiment illustrates the need for careful
drafting of legislation dealing with artificial reproductive technology, as
well as the potential for conflicts of conscience within the research
community as scientists move in unanticipated directions. [The Times of
London, 1 June]
May
The Office for National Statistics in the United Kingdom has reported
that between 2001 and 2002 there was an 8% increase in abortions after the
24th week of gestation in order to eliminate infants believed to have
deformities like cleft lips or palates. A 17% increase in abortions to
eliminate infants with Down Syndrome was reported during the same period.
The increases are probably related to improved eugenic screening techniques
that identify potential birth defects. London's Metropolitan University
ethicist Jacqueline Laing warned that the trend toward eugenics is
"obliterating the willingness of people to accept disability." [Daily Mail]
The trend also suggests that increasing pressure will be brought to bear on
conscientious objectors in the medical and health care professions.
While refusing to admit liability, the DeKalb County Health Department in
Illinois has agreed to pay $40,000.00 to settle a suit brought by Faith
Mancivaiz. Moncivaiz was a secretary for the Department who sued because she
was denied promotion from a part-time secretarial position to a full-time
position because she expressed reluctance to participate directly or
indirectly in abortion counselling. [News
release]
An Eckerd pharmacist in Rochester, New York, refused to dispense the
potentially abortifacient morning-after pill to a patron for moral and
religious reasons, but directed the woman to another pharmacy to have the
prescription filled. Eckerd has supported the pharmacist for that reason,
despite criticism from some sources, including the patron. In this case the
pharmacist does not appear to have objections to referral, which is a
frequent problem for other objectors.
An 88 year old Tasmanian euthanasia advocate had her son help her to commit
suicide by giving her an overdose of sleeping pills and placing a plastic
bag over her head. John Stuart Godrey was given a one year suspended
sentence (probation) after pleading guilty to the charge. Justice Peter
Underwood stated that Godfrey was acting from "compassion and love". His
mother was suffering from chronic back pain and hip injuries and felt that
life had become "a chore". The sentence does not serve to deter others or to
denounce the act, and for that reason will likely lead to increased
acceptance of the practice and pressure for legalization.
71 year old Ludwig Minelli, the founder of the Swiss assisted suicide
organization, Dignitas, has said that the organization will not
refuse any patients who requests assisted suicide, regardless of their
medical condition. Minelli was speaking to The Telegraph, a newspaper
in the United Kingdom, after news that a 76 year old Briton had
committed suicide at Dignitas within 24 hours of his arrival. 76 year old
Gordon Hurst suffered from Parkinson's Disease and flew to Switzerland after
watching a television documentary about the Swiss group. 280 people have
committed suicide with the assistance of Dignitas since it began
operations in 1998. A report in March of this year indicated that
Switzerland was planning to impose some restrictions on assisted suicide by
visitors (Swiss
move to reduce suicide tourism). In February, 2004, the Swiss Academy of
Medical Sciences indicated that assisted suicide might be an appropriate
option (Ambiguous
Swiss statement permits assisted suicide). Both reports can lead one to
conclude that Dignitas is causing state and medical authorities to
respond in a regulatory manner, which would effectively establish assisted
suicide as an officially approved and not merely legal procedure. This is
likely to have gradually accumulating adverse consequences for those who
have a different view. This is an interesting development, since the
separation of assisted suicide from normal medical practice through the
activity of a private group like Dignitas might have been seen as the
natural solution to conflicts of conscience within the health care
professions.
Israel's Knesset is to deal with a bill which is being described as one
that would allow "euthanasia by omission" or "passive euthanasia." In fact,
the news report indicates that the bill would allow doctors to decline to
treat terminally ill patients, and it is not clear whether or not this
refers to extraordinary or ordinary measures. The decision not to apply
extraordinary or disproportionate treatment would not be considered
euthanasia by most conscientious objectors. Failure to make these
distinctions in reporting on the bill invites the conclusion that euthanasia
is legitimate in some circumstances, something which objectors would deny. [Maariv]
Euthanasia advocacy in New Zealand has moved to the theatre. A play based on
Lesley Martin's book To Die Like a Dog opened at the end of May. It
will be filmed for a documentary. It will be performed once and filmed for a
documentary. Lesley Martin was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for
attempting to murder her mother. [The New Zealand Herald, 24 May]
The Chilean Health Ministry has modified its original instruction on the
distribution of the morning-after pill. The first directive, in mid-April,
ordered its general distribution. The latest order restricts the
distribution to rape complainants. The Health Ministry has threatened to
fine mayors who refuse to follow the directive. However, Marta Ehlers, the
mayor of Lo Barnechea, Chile, continues to refuse the order.
A bill backed by the Spanish government will force doctors to perform
abortions or lose their licences to practise, and create a list of doctors
who refuse to perform abortions. [LifeSiteNews.com]
14 of 18 deaths investigated at a French hospital have been found to be the
result of euthanasia. Four of the patients died from 'active' euthanasia;
the rest died after having been given tranquillizers that could have cause
fatal respiratory slowdowns. The French justice minister appears to be
suggesting that physicians be allowed to participate in assisted suicide or
euthanasia. [The Guardian]
Duncan Mwangi, a sociology teacher in Nairobi, asserts that is nearly
impossible to legalize abortion in a society like Kenya's, where most people
are African and religious. His comments follow claims by International
Projects Assistance Services (IPAS) that abortion should be legalized in
Kenya to prevent deaths and injury from illegal abortions. Muslims and
Christians, who form the majority in Kenya, have opposed attempts to
legalize abortion. [CNS
News] [No
Place for Abortion in African Traditional Life - Some Reflections (2002)]
Canadian Member of Parliament Maurice Vellacott issued a
statement about the need for protection of conscience legislation in
Canada during a news conference held by the Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus.
Unlike bills having government support, Vellacott's private member's bill
C-246 has not progressed through the House of Commons. A news release
from Canadian Physicians for Life drew attention to the problem of
ethics profiling, illustrated by the
case
of the Christian medical student at the University of Manitoba who was
almost denied graduation because of differences with his preceptors about
abortion and related issues.
The American Center for Law and Justice, which specializes in
constitutional law, today filed a federal lawsuit against an ambulance
company in Elmhurst, Illinois on behalf of an employee who was fired for
following her religious beliefs and refusing to transport a patient to an
abortion facility for an elective abortion. [Ambulance
Attendant Fired]
Judge Douglas Baird of Pinellas County Circuit Court in Florida has
struck down an emergency law passed by the Florida legislature to prevent
patients from being starved and dehydrated to death. Baird ruled that the
law was unconstitutional; his decision will likely be appealed. The case
concerns Terri Schiavo, a severely disabled woman who has been dependent on
assisted nutrition and hydration. Her husband has repeatedly tried to have
the feeding tube removed so that she will die, on the grounds that she would
not like to remain alive in such a condition. He has been opposed by her
parents, who have now been denied visits to their daughter. The feeding tube
has been removed twice in the past. The first time a court ordered it
reinserted; the second time the legislature passed 'Terri's law' to allow
the state governor to intervene. The see-saw battle demonstrates the
potential for conflicts of conscience among health care workers over
withdrawal of assisted nutrition and hydration from a patient who is not
dying.
The Reproductive Genetics Institute of Chicago is producing babies to be
used as tissue donors to help cure siblings who are ill. Nine women were
impregnated with genetically selected IVF embryos; five gave birth. Stem
cells will be harvested for donation. Although the practice is
controversial, it is becoming more frequent. [Chicago
Sun Times]
Franciso Cardinal Javier Errázuriz Ossa of Chile has condemned government
plans to distribute the potentially abortifacient morning-after pill free to
women who complain of rape, and called upon mayors to refuse to obey the
government directive. In response, the Chilean Minister of Health has
suggested that the Cardinal's statement is "an act of rebellion by the
Church" and threatened the mayors with sanctions if they refuse to
distribute the drug.[Zenit;
LifeSiteNews.com]
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is studying the statement by Pope John
Paul II that forbids withdrawal of nutrition and hydration from patients who
are not dying. Some bioethicists who profess Catholicism are reported to be
unwilling to accept the pope's teaching on the subject. The situation may
place those who wish to adhere to papal teaching in conflict not only with
secular authorities, but with authorities operating Catholic institutions
with policies inconsistent with the pope's statement. [Pope
declares nutrition and hydration 'morally obligatory' in principle]
At a shareholder's meeting in April, the board of Merck Pharmaceuticals was
confronted by shareholder representatives of Human Life International and
Children of God for Life, who challenged them to withdraw vaccines derived
from deliberate abortions, and fully disclose the company's involvement in
such research. The speakers pointed out that the RA 27/3 stem cell line used
to create the MMR vaccine was knowingly derived from the last of 27 babies
"who were deliberately aborted in a controlled setting" to obtain the live
virus. They also criticized the company for using aborted fetal tissue to
develop the PER-C6 stem cell line that will be used in an AIDS vaccine. On
the other hand, they thanked the board for returning "ethically produced"
vaccines for measles and mumps to the marketplace. The use of vaccines
derived from deliberately aborted infants or other controversial sources can
create moral conflicts for health care professionals, parents and others who
do not wish to be associated with such products.
April
Arrogance and lack of remorse displayed by euthanasia advocate Leslie Martin
of New Zealand were noted by the judge who sentenced her to 15 months
imprisonment for attempting to murder her mother. The judge commented that
her actions were "at the mercy killing end of the spectrum." Martin will
appeal the sentence. The case continues to generate calls for the
legalization of euthanasia in New Zealand, which would have significant
impact on conscientious objectors.
A Christian medical student at the University of Manitoba will be credited
with having passed his rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology and will
graduate from medical school. He had been failed primarily because of
differences with his preceptors on issues related to abortion and
contraception, and the failing mark was upheld in successive appeals. It is
not clear why University authorities decided to accommodate the student,
having previously been unwilling to accept his position. [Should
doctors be forced to abandon their faith?]
In the spring of 2005, Pro-Life Wisconsin plans to deliver a petition with
15,000 signatures to the state legislature in support of freedom of
conscience for pharmacists. The petition is available on-line at
www.prolifewisconsin.org. [Pro-Life
Wisconsin Kicks Off Pharmacists Conscience Clause Petition Drive]
A Swiss MP has claimed that euthanasia is widely practised in Europe,
although legal only in Belgium and the Netherlands. Dick Marty wants
euthanasia decriminalized so that it can be regulated.
The
Conscientious Objector Policy Act has passed the House of
Representatives in Michigan. The Act protects health-care workers, insurers
and facilities generally, and provides more limited protection for
pharmacists, who must still dispense birth control pills. The passage of the
bill was applauded by a spokesman for the Michigan Catholic Conference,
though the bill fails to protect pharmacists who have moral objections to
contraception. Three other protective bills were passed at the same time. [HB
5276,
HB5277, and
HB 5278]
The governor of Wisconsin vetoed
Assembly Bill 67, a bill that would have ensured respect for freedom of
conscience of medical professionals and facilities opposed to procedures
that end human life. None of those procedures would have been prohibited by
the bill, but conscientious objectors would have been protected from
discrimination, reprisal and lawsuits. Nonetheless, the bill was not without
pro-life critics, who asserted that it offered no protection to pharmacists.
[Planned
Parenthood Launches Campaign of Outright Lies ] [Governor
Delivers a Slap in the Face to the Medical Community! ] [
Planned Parenthood Continues Their Campaign of Lies ]
A 13 year old girl will be allowed to begin hormonal treatments to suppress
further female development. She plans to have sex-change surgery and male
hormone treatments to assume the appearance of a boy. News reports state
that the girl's father died after raising her until she was six years old,
and that she has since been a ward of the state while living with an aunt.
She has dressed in boy's clothes and been involved in boy's games and
activities for some time. Testimony from a psychiatrist supporting the
application in Family Court reflected a philosophy that embraces the notion
of a mind-body split: "She feels angry and cheated that her body is female.
. .". The ruling has generated considerable controversy. It is not difficult
to imagine that some health care workers would object to participating in
the treatment authorized by the court. [BBC;
Sydney Morning Herald]
As many as 100 HIV infected children in Incarnation Children's Center, an
orphanage run by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York and the New York
Administration for Children's Services, were used as test subjects for
experimental drugs. Parents of most of the children were dead or could not
be traced. A panel of doctors and lawyers gave permission to use the
children in the tests, which were conducted by Columbia University doctors.
They were used in at least 36 experiments since 1995 to test "safety,"
"tolerance" and "toxicity" of drugs for a variety of illnesses related to
HIV infection. There is a dispute as to whether the trials ended in 2000 or
2002. The Alliance for Human Research Protection demanded an investigation
to determine if laws governing human research and informed consent were
obeyed. The controversy is a reminder of the potential for conflicts of
conscience among researchers and others involved in such work.
Lesley Martin, a euthanasia advocate and intensive care nurse, has been
convicted of attempted murder of her terminally ill mother, who is now
deceased. She is to be sentenced on 30 April. Calling her conviction
"unjust", Martin claims that she was following her mother's wishes. She
plans to have her book about the attempts to kill her mother dramatized. A
previous attempt to present the story publicly failed when a theatre refused
the work MP Peter plans to put forward a new version of a medically-assisted
suicide bill that was defeated last year. The New Zealand Medical
Association and Hospice New Zealand oppose such legislation.
Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice-president of the Pontifical Academy for Life,
explained the recent statement by Pope John Paul II means that nutrition and
hydration are required as long as the patient is able to assimilate food and
fluids. They are not required when that is not the case. [Pope
declares nutrition and hydration 'morally obligatory' in principle]
A House of Lords select committee consisting of peers who both support and
oppose euthanasia will study Lord Joffe's Assisted Dying for the Terminally
Ill Bill. The proposed statute is currently incompatible with the European
Convention on Human Rights.