Canadian docs say 'no' to euthanasia

The following article was originally printed by OneNewsNow on August 30, 2013.

Alex Schadenberg

Another group of medical professionals, this time in Canada, is standing firm against euthanasia.

The Canadian Medical Association met recently in Calgary and considered the issue of euthanasia and doctor assisted suicide.

Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition tells OneNewsNow the Association maintained its long standing stance against the practice.

In 2007 they wrote a new policy which maintained their opposition to both euthanasia and assisted suicide.” says Schadenberg 

He reports there were “major attempts” at this year’s meeting to make changes to the 2007 platform. 

“So what's really good is that they have continued to uphold their position,” Schadenberg says. “That's what's important here.”

Most of the delegates were discussing how to take better care of people who are dying, how to improve palliative, or pain relief, care.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition reported the CMA passed a resolution that called on the organization to

"support the right of any physician to seek conscientous objection when faced with a request for medical aid in dying." 

There is hope the outcome will have an influence on Quebec, where there is a strong push to legalize euthanasia.

Schadenberg explains: 

“The Quebec delegation was the only delegation in favor of legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide, and they have the idea that they're simply different.” 

In Quebec there is a “strong group” of physicians who oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, “and we would hope that they’re being listened to,” says Schadenberg.

Quebec will soon hold a hearing on a bill to legalize it.

In the United States, assisted suicide is legal only in Washington State, Oregon and Vermont.