Dr Kate Baddock: 'euthanasia goes against the ethics of our profession.'

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

D

Dr Kate Braddock

r Kate Baddock, the chair of the New Zealand Medical Association told TVNZ news that euthanasia goes against the ethics of their profession. According to TVNZ1's Breakfast Baddock stated:

under the new bill doctors would still be the ones administering the injection... 

"Doctors are still the ones that would be involved in assisting people to die. It goes against what a doctors role is,"

Baddock then told TVNZ that euthanasia does not address the social needs of patients:

"Particulary those of coersion, competence and vulnerability. It doesn't protect the vulnerable, the weak, the lonely, those in pain and those that are suffering. It doesn't protect them from a wrongful death."

She says elder abuse is happening and this Bill only encourages it.

Dr Baddock then stated that many people die by euthanasia in the Netherlands based on feelings of obligation:

"Apparently approximately 50 per cent of those who choose euthanasia in the Netherlands do so because they feel obligated to die. They feel their continued existence is a burden either financial or emotional to their families and to society at large. They choose euthanasia even though they don't want to die,"

The New Zealand Medical Association has remained steadfast in its opposition to lethally injecting their patients. The New Zealand legislators should listen to their doctors.