NZMA's anti-euthanasia stance is excellent news

Monday 1st August, 2005

The NZ Medical Association’s decision not to change its anti-euthanasia stance is excellent news for all New Zealanders

The NZ Medical Association’s decision not to change its anti-euthanasia stance is excellent news for all New Zealanders

Legalised voluntary Euthanasia always leads to an increase in involuntary euthanasia. It leads to a lowering of palliative care standards, and less concern for using finance and resources to fight terminal illness. It also creates lazy physicians, and as the NZ Medical Association has pointed out, it is unethical.

This excellent decision by the NZ Medical Association continues to uphold and support the important Hippocratic Oath, that all Doctors take, that states quite clearly that “I will give no deadly medicine to anyone even if asked nor will I ever suggest such a counsel.”

It is also excellent news for all New Zealanders that their interaction with the New Zealand health system will not be marred by the dangerous and unhealthy imbalance in the doctor patient relationship that is created by legalised euthanasia.

As New Zealanders we are renowned for celebrating those who fight against the odds and battle adversity with courage. The NZ Medical Association’s decision to oppose euthanasia affirms that it would be detrimental to our country if we were to legalise any act that would allow people to simply give up on life without even so much as a struggle.

ENDS

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