| — a good death? | ||
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| By PETER BARNES
THE word literally means ‘good death’, and it is often presented in terms of ‘mercy killing’. Sir Mark Oliphant, who was a distinguished scientist and a former Governor of South Australia, thought that euthanasia should not be a crime but a right. Isaac Asimov has stated the case for the pro-euthanasia position: Some DefinitionsWe need to clarify some definitions before we look at this issue in greater detail:
The Current Situation in Australia and ElsewhereFrom September 1996 to March 1997 the Northern Territory allowed a patient to request his doctor to assist the patient to terminate his life if he (the patient) was experiencing unacceptable pain or distress. The decision was to be ratified by a second medical practitioner. This legislation was overturned by the intervention of the federal government. In NSW there have been a number of attempts to pass similar legislation; indeed, attempts to introduce pro-euthanasia are fast becoming annual events.In Holland it has been widely practised. In September 1991 it emerged that euthanasia had been practised in about 20% of all deaths, with much falsification of death certificates. Just over one quarter of the doctors in Holland admitted that they had killed patients without any request at all. Lawmakers talk about ‘strict safeguards’ but they do not exist and cannot exist. Children as young as twelve can demand euthanasia in Holland, and can over-ride their parents’ wishes. It is worth remembering that the first society in modern times to usher in euthanasia laws was Nazi Germany. It was widely practised in the 1930s, and became law in 1939. Ultimately, some 275,000 persons were exterminated, for being mentally defective, psychotics, epileptics, paralytics, or sufferers from Parkinson’s Disease and multiple sclerosis. As Leo Alexander commented: The beginnings at first were merely a subtle shift in emphasis in the basic attitude of physicians. It started with the attitude, basic in the euthanasia movement, that there is such a thing as a life not worthy to be lived. This attitude in its early stages concerned itself merely with severely and chronically sick. Gradually, the sphere of those to be included in this category was enlarged to encompass the socially unproductive, the ideologically unwanted, the racially unwanted and finally all non-Germans. We are but a short step from Nazi Germany. C. Everett Koop (US Surgeon- General under President Reagan) is not alone in warning: ‘Auschwitz could be in the offing.’ Michael Burleigh in his compelling book, Death and Deliverance, has shown that the euthanasia mentality in Germany did not suddenly emerge with Nazism; there had been a long period of preparation for it. Biblical Texts Bearing on EuthanasiaThe basic text has to be ‘You shall not murder’ (Ex.20:13). Voluntary euthanasia could not be classified as first-degree murder, but it undermines the sanctity of human life. When the emotionally-drained Elijah asked for death, God refused his request (1 Kings 19).The Bible gives two accounts of assisted suicide — that of Abimelech (Judges 9:53ff) and that of King Saul. In the latter case, the soldier who claimed to kill Saul was in turn killed by David (2 Sam.1:5-10). Both of these deaths are portrayed as judgments by God. It is God who has appointed us to die (Heb.9:27). He promises to uphold those who trust Him, even in old age (Isa.46:3-4 c/f Psalm 71 with 37:25). Euthanasia is a repudiation of this promise. The Christian knows that the wearing out of the body can go hand-in-hand with spiritual growth (2 Cor.4:16). An old and incapacitated person, for example, may have a valuable prayer ministry. Our bodies are not our own to do with them as we will (1 Cor.6:19-20). At the basis of the push for euthanasia is humanism. Hence, as Nigel deS. Cameron points out: ‘The old axis of sanctity-of-life and healing is rapidly being replaced by a new one of quality of-life and relief of suffering.’ In the name of compassion and mercy, there is death and degradation. Humanism declares that it promotes the well-being of human beings, but in fact it devalues their worth. It is inevitable that those who hate God love death (Prov.8:36). Practical Problems with EuthanasiaEven without the biblical texts as our authority, it is clear that there are many practical problems associated with euthanasia:
Alternatives to EuthanasiaWith modem palliative care, almost all severe pain can be effectively relieved. As Brian Pollard has said, the aim ought to be not to eliminate the person in distress but the distress in the person. To choose God is to choose life for God is the God of life (Deut.30:11-20). It is ironic indeed that the generation that has so much power to lessen pain is the generation that is so keen to advocate and embrace death.[ TOP ] ... [ BACK ] Appeared in CETF 28 2004 |
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