Were we heard? Yes, we were. I think the voices opposing euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, voluntary assisted dying were possibly better prepared and heard more than ever before. We were given time but it made no difference to the outcome.
The first (death) is consequential to good medicine, the second is euthanasia and cannot ever be called good medicine. The difference is critical and has been recognised for millennia.
The Code of Medicine is to save life and not to kill, to relieve distress until the final breath. Palliative Care specialists know that no one need ever die in pain, yet pain is the constant chorus of those pushing for killing to be a solution. Heed the words of the Palliative Care specialists – they do know.
Medically assisted killing is not necessary. As a society we must not break, we must not destroy this foundational Code of Medicine to ease the way, but never to kill.
Let’s be clear – we must never give legal approval for people to die and doctors must never be involved in killing. To give compassionate and skilled medical care to the very end of a patient’s life, to ease the way, yes, that is our role and duty and privilege, but never to kill.
Which was it? the thrill of the chase of the elusive diagnosis? the triumph of solving the puzzle? the entrée into people’s lives? the adventure of saving life? the awe, excitement and responsibility of the birth? the presence during the last illness?
To ease the way, but never to intentionally kill
Our God is a God of miracles. Friends, let us pray that God will give us at least a temporary respite against this relentless push. Yes, please Lord God may You turn back the evils of abortion in NSW, euthanasia/PAS in WA, transgenderism nationally and enshrine freedom of belief in our land.
This article highlights the fact that in some studies euthanasia and physician assisted suicide is requested for pain relief in only about a quarter of people with the majority being for reasons of personal autonomy “this is what I want, and I will have it”.
I applaud all who work for the marginalised in and out of our country and all who work as stewards of creation. I applaud efforts to have good enshrined in party platforms. These matters however with their varying solutions pale in comparison to the former principles when it comes to the ballot box. They involve the “how” rather than the “yes/no”.
Good Medicine is the heart and soul of Good Medical Practice… When Medicine falls, so does society.
When Medicine loses its heart and soul, society is the poorer.
