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Legislative Council – South Australia

Wednesday, 14th March 2001

Extract from Hansard

DIGNITY IN DYING BILL

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to provide for the administration of medical procedures to assist the death of patients who are hopelessly ill and who have experienced a desire for the procedure subject to appropriate safeguards. Read a first time.

The Hon. SANDRA KANCK: I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

Policymakers and pro-euthanasia groups in the Netherlands voiced the hope that Tuesday’s landmark decision to legalize mercy-killing will encourage discussion on the controversial issue elsewhere.

This paper presents terminal sedation and voluntary refusal of hydration and nutrition as potential last resorts.

In debates about euthanasia, the drugs are never quick.

There is increasing medical interest and support in the United Kingdom for legalising voluntary euthanasia.

Advance Directives Found Key to Reducing Stress for Families of Hospitalized Patients at the End of Life

Thursday, March 15, 2001

Linda Cook

National Institute of Nursing Research

Jim Newman

Oregon Health Sciences University

Sweeny surgeon Joseph Ndiyob, comatose for about two months, would prefer to die than continue to be kept alive on life support, his attending physician testified Tuesday.

The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee yesterday approved a bill enabling anyone over the age of 18 to sign a statement instructing physicians not to extend their lives by artificial means if they stand no chance of recovery.

The Netherlands’ controversial bill to legalise mercy killing has claimed its first victim in the very profession it was designed to protect.

Research says instructional directives may have psychological benefits, but a new study also found they don’t improve the accuracy of surrogate decision-making.AMERICAN MEDICAL NEWS, Professional I

This statement first appeared in The Humanist of July/August 1974.

Derick T Wade, consultant and professor in neurological disability. Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre, Oxford OX1 4XD

Summary points

• The diagnosis of the permanent vegetative state cannot be absolutely certain
  
• There is no standard test of awareness and data on prognosis are limited
  
• Patients in the permanent vegetative state raise ethical issues concerning the nature of consciousness, quality of life, the value society attributes to life, and handling of uncertainty