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Euthanasia. Prohibited for centuries, the call to legalize it seems to be growing. So what does it all mean for us – as individuals? As a society? We're probing those questions in this week's show. QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Should euthanasia be legalized? Write to us at listenup@listenuptv.com.For more information on our guests and resources, click here. Join Listen Up in a life-changing trip to help rebuild Haiti. To get involved, call 1-403-474-9292 Twenty thousand relief kits are needed right away in response to the earthquake in Haiti. Click here to see how you can help. Geri's Olympic Journal “Hockey Hockey Hockey….a couple of Canadian supporters jump in for a picture with proud Russia after a 4 – 2 win over the Czechs. No time to snooze…off to catch Canada vs US….quiet streets after that game!!! Then, off to women’s hockey to watch Canada clean up on Finland. What an awesome game!!! Canadian Women know where the puck goes!!! Kudos to our Canadian couple who took gold in free dance skating…so beautiful! Adios…off curling!
Euthanasia, assisted suicide, compassionate killing. By any name, there seems to be a growing demand for its legalization. In Quebec, the College of Physicians is asking that the criminal code be revised to allow the practice. The Royal Society of Canada has announced an expert, international panel to investigate aspects of voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. And the issue recently came before Canada’s parliament once again as Bill C-384 was introduced seeking to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. Activists gathered in Ottawa recently to express their concerns over this debate through "Wilberforce Weekend"--a national strategy seminar that is based on the campaign by William Wilberforce to outlaw strategy in the UK more than a century ago.
Wilberforce Weekend Ottawa "A national seminar to explore and enhance transformative cultural and public policy advocacy supporting people with disabilities, those chronically ill, dying, or otherwise medically at risk. This seminar is conducted under the auspices of the non-partisan Faith-Politics Interface Program." Dr. Philip Nitschke Founder, Exit International Performed world's first legally assisted suicide Alex Schadenberg Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition exists to build a well-informed broadly-based network of groups and individuals to create an effective social barrier to euthanasia and assisted suicide. Our goal is to help build a stronger unified coalition of those who oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide. www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/
Dr. Moira McQueen
Director, Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute
Dr. Moira McQueen graduated in law from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. and worked as a lawyer for several years, specializing in family law and and juvenile court. After her Master of Divinity Degree from the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael's College and the Toronto School of Theology, she earned a Ph.D in moral theology, also from St. Michael's. She has been teaching moral theology at the Faculty of Theology since 1994, and has written and co-authored several articles in bioethics and other areas. www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/ Dr. Jose Pereira Medical Chief, Palliative Care at Bruyere Continuing Care and The Ottawa Hospital Dr. Pereira has initiated various projects in Canada including the Pallium Project which enhanced palliative care delivery at a primary care level. He is also the principal author and editor of the Pallium Palliative Pocketbook. Dr. Pereira has received several awards and recognitions to project development and teaching and research in palliative care, most notably the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association’s Award of Excellence and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, awarded by the Governor General of Canada, in 2002. Steve Passmore Spokesperson, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Disability rights advocate Steve had nine operations in the first decade of his life. The doctors said there wasn't much hope for him to live. Today, he says even when life is painful, it's still worth living.
Information on Canada's Euthanasia Bill C-384
Top five myths about euthanasia and assisted suicide By Derek Miedema, Researcher, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada Quebec doctors' support for euthanasia raises ethical questions By Charles Lewis, National Post Why quadriplegic MP will abstain on euthanasia bill By Laura Stone, Canwest News Service
An alternative to euthanasia or assisted suicide: Bev Foster Professional Musician and Creator of Room 217 www.room217.ca
Bev Foster, a professional musician, thought that sudden death was preferable. But experiencing the death of her father taught her that terminal illness offers opportunity for love, resolutions and closure. Part of that journey led her to ask over 100 seniors what music they would listen to as they ended their life ...that shaped her collection of music - "Room 217" - what she describes as “Music for Life’s Journey.” www.euthanasia.com From euthanasia.com: "We are committed to the fundamental belief that the intentional killing of another person is wrong. We have deep sympathy for those people who are suffering." Click here for helpful organizations offering alternatives LORNA'S WRAP Today as we looked at Canada’s discussion in media, in parliament and medical studies on euthanasia, three opinions come to mind: First – my own. How we decide on euthanasia will be a deeply personal decision. Because I take literally the command of God to not kill, I plan not to give into the temptation to end life before it naturally ends. Submitting to suffering is a Christian requirement, and suffering brings out beauty in the lives of people who care for the ill. The second opinion comes from Dr. Margaret Somerville who wrote The Ethical Imagination. This leading Canadian ethicist challenges us to ask, “How do we want our grandchildren to die? Would euthanasia help us or hinder our collective future?” Third – I’m listening to the opinion of Member of Parliament, Steven Fletcher, who wrote that he will abstain from Bill C-384 – the private members bill that would legalize euthanasia in Canada. Mr. Fletcher is a quadriplegic and does want the legal provision to end his life should he deem it necessary.
He’s worried the bill may “worsen the plight of the severely injured and ill by relieving the pressure on Canadians to come to terms with the more important challenge of providing support, compassion, love and mercy” to people in pain. This will not be a quick legal decision in Canada, and a prolonged moral discussion over such an important debate is necessary.
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