Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia

Assisted Suicide Featured on Dr. Oz Show
Make a Statement Against Assisted Suicide
Let's Dr. Oz Know Where You Stand
LOS ANGELES, November 1, 2011-- Today's Dr. OZ show is featuring the subject of doctor assisted suicide. Our thanks goes to Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition,and the Californians Against Assisted Suicide for bringing this to our attention.

Bishops Approve Physician-Assisted Suicide Statement; Call on Catholics to Support the Dying, Ensure Their Legal Protection 
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2011 -- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a policy statement on physician-assisted suicide at its Spring General Assembly in Seattle on June 16. The statement, To Live Each Day with Dignity, passed with a vote of 191-1. It marks the first time the full body of bishops has issued a statement devoted to this issue.

Belgian Doctors Harvesting Organs from Disabled Euthanasia Donors
BELGIUM, January 26, 2011  – Belgian doctors are not only harvesting organs from disabled euthanasia donors, but are publicly advocating the practice and setting down guidelines for it.

New Study Shows:
It Takes a Long Time to Starve a Severely Disabled Infant to Death
MONTREAL, CANADA, October 21, 2010 -- MedScape Medical News reports, "Neonatal survival after withdrawal of artificial hydration and nutrition can last up to 26 days, according to a case series presented here at the 18th International Congress on Palliative Care. They reported that researcher, Hal Siden, MD, from Canuck Place Children's Hospice in Vancouver, British Columbia cautioned those attending that, "Although physical distress is not apparent in the infants, the psychological distress of parents and clinicians builds with the length of survival."

CT Court Protects Vulnerable from Assisted Suicide
Medical Suicide Ramifications and Law Reserved for the Legislature
HARTFORD,CT, June 10, 2010 -- On Tuesday, a superior court in Connecticut dismissed an attempt by Compassion and Choices (formerly the Hemlock Society) to overturn a law banning assisted suicide in that state. In Connecticut, it is a form of manslaughter to assist someone in ending their life.

Over 30% of Euthanasia Cases in Belgian Region Did Not Give Consent
Most Hoping for a cure at the Time
ROME, May 19, 2010 -– In one region of Belgium, over 30 percent of reported euthanasia cases were carried out without the consent of the patient, a study has found. At the same time, the overall number of official reported deaths by euthanasia are dramatically increasing in the country since the practice was legalized in 2002, with 40 per cent more cases reported for 2009 than the previous year.

New US Bishops Bioethical Statements
Reproductive Technologies and Nutrition and Hydration
BALTIMORE, MD, November 17, 2009 - In addition to the Pastoral Letter on marriage, the Bishops approved an important document on reproductive technologies, “Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology,” which addresses Catholic teaching on a range of infertility treatments including in vitro fertilization, embryo adoption, sperm and egg donation and surrogacy and offered recommendations for approved therapeutic means that help a couple conceive. The Catholic Key Blog reported that like the recent Vatican document Dignitas Personae, it raised serious moral concerns about "embryo adoption" without definitively ruling it out as a legitimate option for couples.

Assisted Suicide Update: Washington and Montana
Letters Needed in California
SAN FRANCISCO, FEB. 6, 2009 -- Since 2005 the California Legislature has consistently rejected controversial efforts to legalize assisted suicide, but Compassion and Choices (the former Hemlock Society) is persistant in continuing to raise the issue in California. It is important that newly elected legislators become aware of the history and consequences of this issue so that they are not talked into supporting such a bill if it is introduced. You can help by sending a letter to your state senator or assembly member, particularly if they are newly elected.

CA Governor Signs Suicide Advocates' Bill
SAN FRANCISCO, September 30, 2008 -- Despite a very strong opposition, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2747, the bill sponsored by the former Hemlock Society.

Church Teaching on "Brain Death" Clarified by Vatican Spokesman
VATICAN CITY, September 5, 2008- There has been no change in Church teaching regarding the concept of "brain death" as a true criterion for death, though the criterion has to be applied correctly, reminded a Vatican spokesman.

Suicide Offered, Life-extending Drug Denied
EUGENE, OR, June 3, 2008 - When Barbara Wagner of Springfield, Oregon learned that the Oregon Health Plan did not cover her life-prolonging cancer treatment drug her oncologist prescribed, the letter of denial advised her that the assisted suicide would be covered. According to the Register Guard, Eugene Wagner said "I think it's messed up", as she burst into tears.

Conscience Rights Under Threat
Health Issues Spark Conflicts
ROME, June 1, 2008 -- The attempt to limit religion to the purely private sphere is a major area of conflict in many countries. One of the areas of battle involves Christians and Church-based institutions active in health care.

Doctor's Perspective on AB 2747
California Bill Promotes Assisted-Suicide in Disguise
California Assembly Bill 2747 purports to address problems of end of life care. In fact, it is a bill to enact "ending life care."