Have your say: Euthanasia myths

Dr. Jonquiere is an advocate of voluntary euthanasia.

I went to the Forum North euthanasia discussion on February 22, hosted by the Whangarei End of Life Focus group.

The speaker, Dr Jonquiere (A Netherlands GP), and the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NZ who brought him to speak in NZ, must have been rankled by pro-life assertions because his talk revolved around dispelling pro-life 'myths'. In seeking to do so, he promoted other myths:

1. It is quite acceptable to flout the law of any country. (He told us about the first time he performed euthanasia, before it was legal in Holland, and seemed to think his example was worth following)

2. Legalised euthanasia will be a safeguard against illegal killing because all doctors will obey the new law stringently. (Such absolute compliance is not true in any area of life.)

3. The elderly will always be safe from abuse because consulting doctors will carefully check for evidence of coercion. (Even if a doctor did find evidence of coercion, would (s) he refuse the patient who asked for euthanasia? Not necessarily).

4. Patients in hospitals or hospices will always be safe from being killed if they don't request it. (Even when there aren't enough beds?)

5. Once euthanasia is legalised, there is no danger of the law becoming more relaxed. (The so-called 'slippery slope').

6. Surveys will ensure that we will always feel safe that the law is being followed as it should.

Personally, his arguments made me sincerely doubt the safety of the currently proposed 'End of Life Choice Bill'.

J Gillgren
Hikurangi

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