News
Euthanasia included in advance directives (Spain)
On May 31, a royal decree amended the law relating to euthanasia in Spain. Since its legalization on March 18, 2021 (cf. Spain legalizes euthanasia and assisted suicide), the procedure was regulated by a decree published on February 2, 2022. With this revision, the request for euthanasia can be made by “a third person”, parent … Read more
Quebec: expansion of “medical assistance in dying” postponed (Canada)
In Quebec, the Minister of Health had to face the facts on Thursday: the examination of the extension of “medical assistance in dying” to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease requires more time than the deputies had it before the end of the parliamentary session on June 10. Bill 38 consisted of about fifty articles. In … Read more
Two methods to legalize euthanasia or Medical Aid in Dying (France)
In a webinar, Henri de Soos, lawyer describes 2 methods employed to legalize euthanasia. The first one consists of multiplying the legislative proposals to stimulate a national debate and ultimately obtain a majority vote. The second method consists of obtaining a judgment from the constitutional court to oblige the government and the parliament to decriminalize … Read more
Nearly 8 in 10 Koreans support legalizing euthanasia, doctor-assisted suicide (South Korea)
A survey conducted by Professor Yoon Young-ho at Seoul National University Hospital showed that 76.3 % of Koreans favored euthanasia or doctor-assisted suicide. Reasons for approval included meaninglessness of life extension (30.8 %), patient’s right to have a death with dignity (26 %), alleviation of pain (20.6 %), family suffering (14.8 %), alleviating social burdens … Read more
Dutch Council of State refuses to endorse “death wish” suicide bill (Netherlands)
The Dutch Council of State has rejected a draft “death wish” assisted suicide bill that seeks to extend existing legislation to over-75s who are “tired of life”. The Council of State, the highest-ranking advisory body in the Netherlands, previously released a report on the bill, explaining that the “government has a duty to protect its … Read more
Voluntary Assisted Dying in Australia (Australia)
On 19 May 2022 the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 (NSW) was passed by the New South Wales Parliament. Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is a major legal, ethical and social policy issue. In Australia, VAD laws have been passed in all States. Victoria’s and Western Australia’s VAD laws have commenced operation. VAD will commence in Tasmania on 23 October … Read more
Ban porn to save families (USA)
Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance told a Catholic magazine that pornography should be banned because it’s stopping Americans from getting married and starting families. According to Vance the combination of porn and abortion have basically created a lonely, isolated generation that isn’t getting married, they’re not having families, and they’re actually not even totally sure how to interact … Read more
End-of-life care in South Africa: Important legal development (South Africa)
In 2015, a terminally ill Robin Stransham-applicant asked for the “right to die with dignity”. Judge Fabricius of the North Gauteng High Court found that he had a constitutionally protected right to do so. The applicant passed away a few hours before the judgement. Supreme Court concluded that assisted suicide is not unlawful in all … Read more
The ethics of euthanasia in dementia (2012–2020) (Netherlands)
151 Dutch case reports on euthanasia in dementia (2012–2020) were analyzed. In 2011, the first advanced-dementia-case has been authorized. The reported numbers amounted from 5 in 2005 to 170 in 2020. Ethically relevant is the prevalence of psychological and spiritual suffering (99.1% and 84.7). The study questions the factors of euthanasia requests: How voluntary is … Read more