what is abortion? abortion defined: any premature expulsion of a human fetus, whether naturally...
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT IS ABORTION?
Abortion defined: Any premature expulsion of a human fetus,
whether naturally spontaneous, or artificially induced.
Pro-Choice Argument• A fetus is not a person or individual human being – but rather a
disposable part of a woman’s body & therefore subject to a woman’s right to control her own body
• Abortion is a matter of individual choice because no one can say with certainty when a fetus becomes a person
• Every woman has the right to control her own body. A fetus is a part of a woman’s body because it is dependent on her for survival in the womb
• Government shouldn’t interfere in this highly personal issue• Personal circumstances making it impossible to care for a child• Abortion is used only as a last resort, frequently because of rape,
incest or danger to mother’s life• Abortion should be available for severely disabled children• If abortion is made illegal, women will be forced to dangerous “back-
alley” abortions
Pro-Life Argument
• Pro-Life:– A fetus is a human being/person with an
inherent right to life
The Problem of “Personhood”
• Are all humans persons?
• Criteria for personhood– Trait: persons possess a conscious mind with
plans, goals, desires, hopes, fears, etc…
Some Facts About Abortion
• Half of all pregnancies to American women are unintended; half of these end in abortion.
• In 2002, 1.29 million abortions occurred.
• At current rates, about one in three American women will have had an abortion by the time she reaches age 45.
• 88% of abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
A broad cross section of U.S. women have abortions. 56% of women having
abortions are in their 20s; 61% have one or more
children; 67% have never married; 57% are economically
disadvantaged; 88% live in a metropolitan
area; and 78% report a religious
affiliation.
"The United States has one of the highest abortion rates in the developed world, with women from every socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, religious and age
group obtaining abortions," says Lawrence Finer, associate director for domestic research at the Guttmacher Institute.
Why Do Women Have Abortions?a statistical breakdown
Social Reasons
• Feels unready for responsibility21%
• Feels she can't afford baby21% • Concern for how baby would change
her life16% • Relationship problem12% • Feels she isn't mature enough11%• Has all the children she
wants8% • Other reasons4-5%
TOTAL:93%
"Hard Cases"• Mother's Health3% • Baby may have health
problem3% • Rape or Incest1%
TOTAL:7%
Responses listed as primary reason
ABORTION PROCEDURES
– RU486– Methotrexate– Dilatation & Curettage (D&C)– Suction Aspiration– Dilitation & Evacuation (D&E)– Salt Poisoning– Partial Birth Abortion
ROE VS. WADE
•The Argument•The Constitutional Question •The Conclusion •Opinion Date
FertilizationZygote (conception-5 days)Blastocyte (5 days – 2 wks)Embryo (15 days – 8th wk) Fetus (9 weeks – Birth)
Pre-Natal Developmental Stages
First TrimesterConception-12 weeks
Second Trimester13-27 Weeks
Third Trimester28-40 Weeks
The Roman Catholic Church’s Position
http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/
• Why should we respect all living things?• Why is the right to life the most basic human right?• The two convictions at the heart of the Catholic approach
to issues about human life.• Is abortion ever permissible?• Vatican II
– The Church in the Modern World• #27• #29
• Cathechism of the Catholic Church– CCC #2258…..CCC#2270………..CCC#2273
• Consistent Ethic of Life/Seamless Garment
The The Need For Need For Justice?Justice?
LET’S LOOK AT THE FACTSLET’S LOOK AT THE FACTS
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/Facthttp://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/FactSheet.pdfSheet.pdf
http://http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.orgwww.deathpenaltyinfo.org
12/4/01 - Alabama12/4/01 - AlabamaTriple killer serving life without Triple killer serving life without parole kills another inmate; parole kills another inmate; finally gets death sentencefinally gets death sentence
11/27/01 - Oklahoma11/27/01 - OklahomaMan found guilty in 12-year-old Man found guilty in 12-year-old murder of teen boy - also killed murder of teen boy - also killed two children as a teenagertwo children as a teenager
12/6/00 - Texas12/6/00 - TexasGonzales deputy slain; paroled Gonzales deputy slain; paroled killer chargedkiller chargedSan Antonio Express-News San Antonio Express-News
Revenge is Revenge is notnot the goal ofthe goal of punishmentpunishment
A Flawed Punishment?A Flawed Punishment?
Blacks are four times more likely Blacks are four times more likely than whites to be sentenced to than whites to be sentenced to death for similar crimesdeath for similar crimes
90% of death row inmates could 90% of death row inmates could not afford to hire a lawyer when not afford to hire a lawyer when they were triedthey were tried
Innocent people are sentenced Innocent people are sentenced to dieto die
Over 100 innocent Americans have Over 100 innocent Americans have been exonerated from death row in been exonerated from death row in just the last two decadesjust the last two decades
The death penalty costs more The death penalty costs more than life in prisonthan life in prison
Various state governments estimate Various state governments estimate that a single death penalty case from that a single death penalty case from arrest to execution ranges fromarrest to execution ranges from
$1million up to $7million$1million up to $7million
Cases resulting in life imprisonment Cases resulting in life imprisonment average around $500,000 each, average around $500,000 each, including incarceration costincluding incarceration cost
The Death Penalty is Racially The Death Penalty is Racially InequitableInequitable
Over 82% of those on death row Over 82% of those on death row were convicted of killing a white were convicted of killing a white person, though people of color make person, though people of color make up more than 50% of all homicide up more than 50% of all homicide victimsvictims
43% of those on death row are black, 43% of those on death row are black, though only 12% of the U.S. though only 12% of the U.S. population is blackpopulation is black
It is poor people who are It is poor people who are chosen for deathchosen for death
The American Bar Association has The American Bar Association has reported that 90% of those on death reported that 90% of those on death row couldn’t afford their own attorney row couldn’t afford their own attorney at trial and were appointed counsel.at trial and were appointed counsel.
The Death Penalty The Death Penalty Does not Deter CrimeDoes not Deter Crime
States that do not have the death States that do not have the death penalty have an average murder rate penalty have an average murder rate that is actually lower than states that that is actually lower than states that do do
The United States is the only western The United States is the only western democracy that continues to use the democracy that continues to use the death penalty. death penalty.
The U.S. stands with countries like The U.S. stands with countries like China, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan in its China, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan in its continued use of the death penaltycontinued use of the death penalty
We are third only to China and the We are third only to China and the Republic of the Congo in total Republic of the Congo in total number of executions since 1998number of executions since 1998
The United States leads the The United States leads the world in killing juvenilesworld in killing juveniles
The U.S. is one of six countries since The U.S. is one of six countries since 1990 that have executed people for 1990 that have executed people for crimes they committed before the crimes they committed before the age of 18age of 18
““The antidote to violence is The antidote to violence is love, not more violence” love, not more violence” (US (US Catholic Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life, Catholic Bishops, Living the Gospel of Life, p 22)p 22)
God never stops loving us, God never stops loving us, even when we reject that love even when we reject that love through sinthrough sin (The Gospel of Life, 9)(The Gospel of Life, 9)
Although we harm our own Although we harm our own dignity when we sin, that dignity when we sin, that dignity and the right to life dignity and the right to life that goes with it, is not taken that goes with it, is not taken awayaway (The Gospel of Life, 9)(The Gospel of Life, 9)
The primary aim of The primary aim of punishment is to heal the punishment is to heal the harm that was done harm that was done through the sin or criminal through the sin or criminal actionaction (Adapted from The Catechism, (Adapted from The Catechism, 2266)2266)
Punishment also serves to Punishment also serves to protect society from protect society from harmful behavior and to harmful behavior and to help the guilty person help the guilty person correct their behaviorcorrect their behavior (Adapted from The Catechism, 2266)(Adapted from The Catechism, 2266)
Are there any Exceptions?Are there any Exceptions?
Catholic Social Teaching has Catholic Social Teaching has allowed for the execution of allowed for the execution of violent criminals “if this is the violent criminals “if this is the onlyonly possible way of possible way of effectively defending human effectively defending human lives against the unjust lives against the unjust aggressor”aggressor” (From The Catechism, 2267)(From The Catechism, 2267)
http://deathpenaltyinfo.msu.edu/c/http://deathpenaltyinfo.msu.edu/c/states/compare/bystate.htmstates/compare/bystate.htm
The Right to Die?The Right to Die?
EuthanasiaEuthanasia• Literal meaning Literal meaning • General DefinitionGeneral Definition
– the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured persons in a relatively painless hopelessly sick or injured persons in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy called also way for reasons of mercy called also mercy killingmercy killing Source: Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.Merriam-Webster, Inc.
• Voluntary EuthanasiaVoluntary Euthanasia• Non-Voluntary EuthanasiaNon-Voluntary Euthanasia• Euthanasia By ActionEuthanasia By Action• Euthanasia By OmissionEuthanasia By Omission
These are These are NOTNOT euthanasia:euthanasia:
1.1. Not commencing treatment that would Not commencing treatment that would not provide a benefit to the patient.not provide a benefit to the patient.
2.2. Withdrawing treatment that has been Withdrawing treatment that has been shown to be ineffective, too burdensome shown to be ineffective, too burdensome or is unwanted.or is unwanted.
3.3. The giving of high doses of pain-killers The giving of high doses of pain-killers that may endanger life, when they have that may endanger life, when they have been shown to be necessary.been shown to be necessary.
Euthanasia.com
SuicideSuicide
•Assisted Suicide DefinedAssisted Suicide Defined•Physician Assisted Suicide Physician Assisted Suicide
DefinedDefined
Reasons Proposed for Reasons Proposed for EuthanasiaEuthanasia
• Unbearable pain Unbearable pain • Right to commit Right to commit
suicidesuicide• People should not be People should not be
forced to stay alive forced to stay alive
Arguments Against Arguments Against EuthanasiaEuthanasia
• Euthanasia would not only Euthanasia would not only be for people who are be for people who are "terminally ill."terminally ill.
• Euthanasia can become a Euthanasia can become a means of health care cost means of health care cost containmentcontainment
• Euthanasia will become non-Euthanasia will become non-voluntaryvoluntary
• Euthanasia is a rejection of Euthanasia is a rejection of the importance and value of the importance and value of human life.human life.
Euthanasia would not only Euthanasia would not only be for people who are be for people who are
"terminally ill."terminally ill. There are two problems here -- the There are two problems here -- the definition definition of "terminal"of "terminal" and the changes that have already and the changes that have already taken place to extend euthanasia to those who taken place to extend euthanasia to those who aren't "terminally ill." There are many aren't "terminally ill." There are many definitions for the word "terminal." definitions for the word "terminal."
1.1. When he spoke to the National Press Club When he spoke to the National Press Club in 1992, Jack Kevorkian said that a in 1992, Jack Kevorkian said that a terminal illness was "any disease that terminal illness was "any disease that curtails life even for a day." curtails life even for a day."
2.2. The co-founder of the Hemlock Society The co-founder of the Hemlock Society often refers to "terminal old age." often refers to "terminal old age."
3.3. Some laws define "terminal" condition as Some laws define "terminal" condition as one from which death will occur in a one from which death will occur in a "relatively short time.“"relatively short time.“
4.4. Others state that "terminal" means that Others state that "terminal" means that death is expected within six months or death is expected within six months or less. less. Euthanasia.com
Euthanasia would not only Euthanasia would not only be for people who are be for people who are
"terminally ill."terminally ill.Even where a specific life expectancy (like six Even where a specific life expectancy (like six months) is referred to, medical experts months) is referred to, medical experts acknowledge that it is virtually impossible to acknowledge that it is virtually impossible to predict the life expectancy of a particular predict the life expectancy of a particular patient. Some people diagnosed as terminally ill patient. Some people diagnosed as terminally ill don't die for years, if at all, from the diagnosed don't die for years, if at all, from the diagnosed condition. condition.
Euthanasia.com
Euthanasia would not only Euthanasia would not only be for people who are be for people who are
"terminally ill."terminally ill.Increasingly, however, euthanasia activists have dropped references to terminal illness, replacing Increasingly, however, euthanasia activists have dropped references to terminal illness, replacing them with such phrases as:them with such phrases as:
"hopelessly ill," "hopelessly ill," "desperately ill," "desperately ill," "incurably ill," "incurably ill," "hopeless condition,“"hopeless condition,“"meaningless life." "meaningless life."
Euthanasia.com
Euthanasia would not only Euthanasia would not only be for people who are be for people who are
"terminally ill."terminally ill.An article in the journal, Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, described An article in the journal, Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, described assisted suicide guidelines for those with a hopeless condition. assisted suicide guidelines for those with a hopeless condition.
"Hopeless condition" was defined to include:"Hopeless condition" was defined to include:• terminal illnessterminal illness• severe physical or psychological painsevere physical or psychological pain• physical or mental debilitation or deterioration orphysical or mental debilitation or deterioration or• a quality of life that is no longer acceptable to the individuala quality of life that is no longer acceptable to the individual
That means just about anybody who has a suicidal impulse . That means just about anybody who has a suicidal impulse .
Euthanasia.com
Euthanasia can become a Euthanasia can become a means of health care cost means of health care cost
containmentcontainmentPerhaps one of the most Perhaps one of the most important developments important developments in recent years is the in recent years is the increasing emphasis increasing emphasis placed on health care placed on health care providers to contain providers to contain costs. In such a climate, costs. In such a climate, euthanasia certainly euthanasia certainly could become a means could become a means of cost containment. of cost containment.
Much of these answers are taken from the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide's "Frequently Asked Questions" web page.
Euthanasia.com
Euthanasia will become non-Euthanasia will become non-voluntaryvoluntary
• Emotional and psychological pressures could Emotional and psychological pressures could become overpowering for depressed or become overpowering for depressed or dependent people. If the choice of euthanasia is dependent people. If the choice of euthanasia is considered as good as a decision to receive care, considered as good as a decision to receive care, many people will feel guilty for not choosing many people will feel guilty for not choosing death. Financial considerations, added to the death. Financial considerations, added to the concern about "being a burden," could serve as concern about "being a burden," could serve as powerful forces that would lead a person to powerful forces that would lead a person to "choose" euthanasia or assisted suicide. "choose" euthanasia or assisted suicide.
• People for euthanasia say that voluntary People for euthanasia say that voluntary euthanasia will not lead to involuntary euthanasia will not lead to involuntary euthanasia. They look at things as simply black euthanasia. They look at things as simply black and white. In real life there would be millions of and white. In real life there would be millions of situations each year where cases would not fall situations each year where cases would not fall clearly into either category. clearly into either category.
Euthanasia.com
Euthanasia will become non-Euthanasia will become non-voluntaryvoluntary
The movement from voluntary to The movement from voluntary to involuntary euthanasia would be like involuntary euthanasia would be like the movement of abortion from "only the movement of abortion from "only for the life or health of the mother" as for the life or health of the mother" as was proclaimed by advocates 30 years was proclaimed by advocates 30 years ago to today's "abortion on demand ago to today's "abortion on demand even if the baby is half born". even if the baby is half born". Euthanasia people state that abortion Euthanasia people state that abortion is something people choose - it is not is something people choose - it is not forced on them and that voluntary forced on them and that voluntary euthanasia will not be forced on them euthanasia will not be forced on them either. They are missing the main point either. They are missing the main point - it is not an issue of force - it is an - it is not an issue of force - it is an issue of the way laws against an action issue of the way laws against an action can be broadened and expanded once can be broadened and expanded once something is declared legal. You don't something is declared legal. You don't need to be against abortion to need to be against abortion to appreciate the way the laws on appreciate the way the laws on abortion have changed and to see how abortion have changed and to see how it could well happen the same way with it could well happen the same way with euthanasia/assisted suicide as soon as euthanasia/assisted suicide as soon as the door is opened to make it legal.the door is opened to make it legal.
Euthanasia.com
Euthanasia is a rejection of Euthanasia is a rejection of the importance and value of the importance and value of
human life.human life.People who support euthanasia often say People who support euthanasia often say that it is already considered permissible that it is already considered permissible to take human life under some to take human life under some circumstances such as self defense - but circumstances such as self defense - but they miss the point that when one kills for they miss the point that when one kills for self defense they are saving innocent life - self defense they are saving innocent life - either their own or someone else's. With either their own or someone else's. With euthanasia no one's life is being saved - euthanasia no one's life is being saved - life is only taken.life is only taken.Euthanasia.com
History of EuthanasiaHistory of Euthanasia
• About 400 B.C. - The Hippocratic About 400 B.C. - The Hippocratic OathOath– (By the "Father of Medicine' Greek (By the "Father of Medicine' Greek
physician Hippocrates)physician Hippocrates)
19th Century United States19th Century United States
• 1828 - Earliest American statute 1828 - Earliest American statute explicitly outlawing assisted explicitly outlawing assisted suicidesuicide
20th Century United States20th Century United States
• 1920 - The book "Permitting the 1920 - The book "Permitting the Destruction of Life not Worthy of Destruction of Life not Worthy of Life" was published.Life" was published.
• 1935 - The Euthanasia Society of 1935 - The Euthanasia Society of EnglandEngland
• 1939 - Nazi Germany1939 - Nazi Germany • 1995 - Australia's Northern 1995 - Australia's Northern
TerritoryTerritory
• 1997 – Oregon 1997 – Oregon • 1999 - Dr. Jack Kevorkian 1999 - Dr. Jack Kevorkian
sentenced to a 10-25 year prison sentenced to a 10-25 year prison term for giving a lethal injection to term for giving a lethal injection to Thomas Youk whose death was Thomas Youk whose death was shown on the "60 Minutes" shown on the "60 Minutes" television program.television program. – http://www.tvrundown.com/cases/caskevor.htmlhttp://www.tvrundown.com/cases/caskevor.html
• 2000/2002 - The Netherlands 2000/2002 - The Netherlands legalizes euthanasia.legalizes euthanasia.
• 2002 - Belgium legalizes 2002 - Belgium legalizes euthanasia.euthanasia.
A study of terminally ill A study of terminally ill patients published in The patients published in The
American Journal of Psychiatry American Journal of Psychiatry in 1986 concluded:in 1986 concluded:
• The striking feature of [our] results is that all of The striking feature of [our] results is that all of the patients who had either desired premature the patients who had either desired premature death or contemplated suicide were judged to be death or contemplated suicide were judged to be suffering from clinical depressive illness; that is, suffering from clinical depressive illness; that is, none of those patients who did not have clinical none of those patients who did not have clinical depression had thoughts of suicide or wished that depression had thoughts of suicide or wished that death would come earlydeath would come early• USA Today has reported that among older people suffering USA Today has reported that among older people suffering
from terminal illnesses who attempt suicide, the number from terminal illnesses who attempt suicide, the number suffering from depression reaches almost 90%suffering from depression reaches almost 90%
But what Kevorkian and But what Kevorkian and others who argue in favor others who argue in favor
of physician-assisted of physician-assisted suicide ignore is…suicide ignore is…
Even though the disease itself may be Even though the disease itself may be untreatable, the depression is untreatable, the depression is treatable, treatable, and it is the depression, not and it is the depression, not the disease, which makes such persons the disease, which makes such persons suicidal.suicidal.
• Doctor Kathleen Foley, Chief of Pain Doctor Kathleen Foley, Chief of Pain Services at the Memorial Sloan-Services at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, Kettering Cancer Center in New York, explained in the July 1991 Journal of explained in the July 1991 Journal of Pain and Symptom Management how Pain and Symptom Management how proper pain management has mitigated proper pain management has mitigated patient wishes for assisted suicidepatient wishes for assisted suicide– We frequently see patients referred to our We frequently see patients referred to our
Pain Clinic who request physician-assisted Pain Clinic who request physician-assisted suicide because of uncontrolled pain. We suicide because of uncontrolled pain. We commonly see such ideation and requests commonly see such ideation and requests dissolve with adequate control of pain and dissolve with adequate control of pain and other symptoms, using combinations of other symptoms, using combinations of pharmacologic, neurosurgical, anesthetic, pharmacologic, neurosurgical, anesthetic, or psychological approaches.or psychological approaches.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Elizabeth Kubler-Ross says…says…
““Lots of my dying patients say they grow in Lots of my dying patients say they grow in bounds and leaps, and finish all the bounds and leaps, and finish all the unfinished business. But assisting a suicide unfinished business. But assisting a suicide is cheating them of these lessons, like taking is cheating them of these lessons, like taking a student out of school before final exams. a student out of school before final exams. That's not love, it's projecting your own That's not love, it's projecting your own unfinished business.” unfinished business.”
This "unfinished This "unfinished business"business"
• Considering the ultimate meaning of one's lifeConsidering the ultimate meaning of one's life
• Resolving old disputes and mending Resolving old disputes and mending relationships relationships
• Coming to a final recognition and Coming to a final recognition and appreciation of all the good things that have appreciation of all the good things that have been a part of one's lifebeen a part of one's life
• This process of dying is short-circuited by This process of dying is short-circuited by those who, overcome by depression, give up those who, overcome by depression, give up too soon in the process and kill themselvestoo soon in the process and kill themselves
"... we must be wary of those who are "... we must be wary of those who are too willing to end the lives of the too willing to end the lives of the
elderly and the ill…elderly and the ill…If we ever decide that a poor quality of life justifies If we ever decide that a poor quality of life justifies ending that life, we have taken a step down a slippery ending that life, we have taken a step down a slippery slope that places all of us in danger. There is a difference slope that places all of us in danger. There is a difference between allowing nature to take its course and actively between allowing nature to take its course and actively assisting death. The call for euthanasia surfaces in our assisting death. The call for euthanasia surfaces in our society periodically, as it is doing now under the guise of society periodically, as it is doing now under the guise of "death with dignity" or assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a "death with dignity" or assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a concept, it seems to me, that is in direct conflict with a concept, it seems to me, that is in direct conflict with a religious and ethical tradition in which the human race religious and ethical tradition in which the human race is presented with " a blessing and a curse, life and is presented with " a blessing and a curse, life and death," and we are instructed '...therefore, to choose death," and we are instructed '...therefore, to choose life." I believe 'euthanasia' lies outside the commonly life." I believe 'euthanasia' lies outside the commonly held life-centered values of the West and cannot be held life-centered values of the West and cannot be allowed without incurring great social and personal allowed without incurring great social and personal tragedy. This is not merely an intellectual conundrum. tragedy. This is not merely an intellectual conundrum. This issue involves actual human beings at risk..." This issue involves actual human beings at risk..." (-(- C. Everett Koop, C. Everett Koop, M.D. * *taken from the book M.D. * *taken from the book KOOP, The Memoirs of America's Family DoctorKOOP, The Memoirs of America's Family Doctor by C. Everett Koop, M.D., Random House, 1991.) by C. Everett Koop, M.D., Random House, 1991.)
EUTHANASIAEUTHANASIAand the RCCand the RCC
John Paul II says…John Paul II says…
““Euthanasia must be called a false mercy, Euthanasia must be called a false mercy, and indeed a disturbing ‘perversion’ of and indeed a disturbing ‘perversion’ of
mercy”mercy” (John Paul II from The Gospel of Life)(John Paul II from The Gospel of Life)
The RCC Distinguishes The RCC Distinguishes BetweenBetween
– Proportionate and Disproportionate Proportionate and Disproportionate means of treatmentmeans of treatment• In other words: ordinary and In other words: ordinary and
extraordinary meansextraordinary means
THE RIGHT TO DIETHE RIGHT TO DIEAccording to the RCCAccording to the RCC
• We do not have a right to dieWe do not have a right to die• A right is a moral claimA right is a moral claim• Death claims us, we do not claim deathDeath claims us, we do not claim death• No one is in total control of his/her own No one is in total control of his/her own
lifelife• Only God has absolute controlOnly God has absolute control• We do have the right to proper care when We do have the right to proper care when
we are sick and that does not include we are sick and that does not include euthanasia or suicideeuthanasia or suicide
Those whose lives are Those whose lives are diminished or weakened diminished or weakened
deserve special respect deserve special respect (Catechism, (Catechism,
2276)2276)
• "Whatever its motives and means, direct "Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable It is morally unacceptable
• Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. due to the living God, his Creator. Catechism, 2277Catechism, 2277
• Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. interrupted. Catechism, 2279)Catechism, 2279)
• Italy On LineItaly On LineSpecial service by AGI on behalf of the Special service by AGI on behalf of the Italian Prime Minister's office Italian Prime Minister's office
• SIRCHIA: EUTHANASIA LEADS TO DISASTROUS SIRCHIA: EUTHANASIA LEADS TO DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCESCONSEQUENCES(AGI) - Rome, Italy, Sept.18 - "If we (AGI) - Rome, Italy, Sept.18 - "If we accept the concept that life is not an untouchable value, accept the concept that life is not an untouchable value, we'll be heading for disastrous consequences". That's what we'll be heading for disastrous consequences". That's what Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia said about euthanasia at Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia said about euthanasia at the Azione Giovani meeting. "These debates often allow us the Azione Giovani meeting. "These debates often allow us to understand what we would be heading for in a society to understand what we would be heading for in a society which accepts euthanasia, that is, tragedy". According to which accepts euthanasia, that is, tragedy". According to the minister euthanasia is "terrible". He mentions the law the minister euthanasia is "terrible". He mentions the law enforced in Holland: "they now found out that 2/3 of the enforced in Holland: "they now found out that 2/3 of the people are killed without the monitoring authorities even people are killed without the monitoring authorities even knowing. In this case, the principle of individual freedom knowing. In this case, the principle of individual freedom of choice didn't work out well. When touching the right to of choice didn't work out well. When touching the right to live, one never knows where he will end up". (AGI) live, one never knows where he will end up". (AGI)
People should not People should not be forced to stay be forced to stay
alivealive• Neither the law nor medical ethics requires that Neither the law nor medical ethics requires that "everything be done" to keep a person alive. Insistence, "everything be done" to keep a person alive. Insistence, against the patient's wishes, that death be postponed by against the patient's wishes, that death be postponed by every means available is contrary to law and practice. It every means available is contrary to law and practice. It would also be cruel and inhumane.would also be cruel and inhumane.
• There comes a time when continued attempts to cure There comes a time when continued attempts to cure are not compassionate, wise, or medically sound. That's are not compassionate, wise, or medically sound. That's where hospice, including in-home hospice care, can be where hospice, including in-home hospice care, can be of such help.of such help.
• That is the time when all efforts should be placed on That is the time when all efforts should be placed on making the patient's remaining time comfortable. Then, making the patient's remaining time comfortable. Then, all interventions should be directed to alleviating pain all interventions should be directed to alleviating pain and other symptoms as well as to the provision of and other symptoms as well as to the provision of emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and the patient's loved ones.the patient's loved ones.