Phone rings hot with support for euthanasia campaign

Dr John Pollock. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A terminally ill doctor who reignited the euthanasia debate says he has received offers to help him die.

John Pollock, 61, says his phone has been "ringing hot" with messages of support since he voiced views that euthanasia should be legalised.

"I've had a doctor friend offer to do the job for me but, of course, I couldn't accept because I couldn't possibly put him at risk of prosecution," he said.

"Another offer came from an acquaintance who is not a doctor, but again I had to decline."

Pollock, 61, has an aggressive form of melanoma.

He claims there is a groundswell of public support to alter legislation - but "conservative" New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) board members were blocking change.

He said: "The board is just absolutely unrelentingly of the view that euthanasia is unethical.

"It's as if the medical association thinks ethics are an unchangeable commandment. But it wasn't long ago that it was considered unethical to perform an abortion."

However board chairman Peter Foley has slammed Pollock for using his "personal fear of death" to create a public debate.

"John is emotionally compromised. It is not a debate he should be participating in," Foley said.

"I think John is confused. He's scared of dying a horrible death and of dragging his family though that. So his solution is to campaign for euthanasia."

Foley believes many New Zealanders offering their support for euthanasia are unclear about what euthanasia is.

"I think many of them are actually voting for not going through a horrible death. That doesn't mean they support euthanasia."

He added: "The deliberate act of killing someone should always be illegal."