Editorial Right to Die

Like abortion, the issue of physician-assisted suicide is divisive, controversial — and explosive.
torontosun.com
But it’s one this country has to face.

In February, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down our century-old law forbidding physician-assisted suicide as unconstitutional.

That decision was suspended for a year to allow the nation’s federal and provincial governments to consult on the issue. Quebec is dealing with its own court case. The feds have their panel.

Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins announced Friday this province will lead talks on behalf of the provinces and appointed a panel to lead the consultation.

The advisory group will be co-chaired by Dr. Jennifer Gibson, of U of T’s Centre for Bioethics and Maureen Taylor, journalist, physician assistant and the widow of Dr. Donald Low.

It was Low’s tragic death of a brain tumour in 2013 and his impassioned plea to die with dignity that accelerated the assisted suicide debate.

While we agree that the terminally ill who choose to be released from their suffering should be allowed to do so, we urge caution.

Vulnerable communities, such as the disabled and the developmentally challenged, may not be able to speak for themselves. Who will make those decisions for them?

In his 2012 report on Ontario’s finance, economist Don Drummond urged families to have, “end of life” discussions with their families and doctors — not from a humane standpoint, but as a way of saving money.

Cost should be the last concern when it comes to medically terminating a life. The first should be the patient’s wishes and the relief of suffering.

Hospitals should respect the wishes of families who do not want to prematurely pull the plug on loved ones.

As well, physicians’ rights must be respected. No doctor should be forced to participate in an assisted suicide if it contravenes his or her moral, ethical or religious beliefs.

The Baby Boom generation defined the way they lived. Now, as they age, they will surely define the way we die.

Finding a path that respects the views of everyone will be difficult. It will take courage.

And it is critical to get it right.