Euthanasia News and Research

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Study looks at continuous deep sedation for patients nearing death

The use of continuous deep sedation for patients nearing death in the Netherlands is increasing, while cases of euthanasia have declined, according to a study published on bmj.com.

24 Mar 2008

Pope says pharmacists have right to conscientiously object to fill emergency contraception

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday at the 25th International Congress of Catholic Pharmacists in Rome told attendees that they have a right to conscientiously object to dispensing drugs such as emergency contraception, which can prevent pregnancy if take up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse, the AP/Google.com reports (Winfield, AP/Google.com, 10/29).

31 Oct 2007

Eldely and disabled not at increased risk of physician-assisted death

Claims that vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with physical or mental disabilities, are at an increased risk of physician assisted death are not supported by evidence, says an expert in this week's BMJ.

29 Sep 2007

British doctor accused of behaviour "tantamount to euthanasia" cleared

A British doctor who was accused of actions "tantamount to euthanasia" with regard to the deaths of two premature babies has been cleared of any misconduct.

12 Jul 2007

Easing agonising deaths of terminally ill babies "tantamount to euthanasia"

A doctor in Scotland who gave a paralysing drug to two terminally ill babies, has told a General Medical Council (GMC) panel he felt the children were suffering.

10 Jul 2007

Should the UK adopt Dutch rules on euthanasia in newborn babies?

Euthanasia for newborn babies with lethal and disabling conditions is illegal worldwide, but in reality, its acceptance and practice vary between different countries.

4 May 2007

Morphine for euthanasia is a myth

Using morphine to end a person's life is a myth, argues a senior doctor in a letter to this week's British Medical Journal.

4 Mar 2007

UK experts call for debate on euthanasia for seriously disabled newborns

The prestigious Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology in Britain has suggested that there needs to be open debate about the extent that doctors should go to when it comes to ensuring the survival of seriously disabled babies.

6 Nov 2006

New York Times examines voter guides emphasizing Christian teachings on abortion, xloning, embryonic stem cell research

The New York Times on Saturday examined five Christian voting guides that emphasize church teachings on issues such as abortion, human cloning and human embryonic stem cell research.

16 Oct 2006

British doctors consider euthanasia issue once again

Doctors in Britain are set yet again to debate the euthanasia issue.

29 Jun 2006

Leading medical ethicist says legalise all euthanasia

A leading medical ethicist in the UK says voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia should be legalised in Britain.

8 Jun 2006

Parents win high court battle to keep their baby alive

The parents of an 18-month-old boy with a terminal muscle-wasting disease, won a High Court legal battle to stop doctors turning off the ventilator keeping him alive.

16 Mar 2006

British GP helps terminally access Swiss euthanasia clinic

A doctor in the UK who helped terminally ill Britons to travel to a Swiss clinic to commit suicide is under investigation by Surrey Police.

29 Jan 2006

Euthanasia in Britain

It is understood that euthanasia is extremely rare in the UK and few doctors want it legalised, but campaigners for euthanasia have long argued terminally-ill patients are helped to die in secret.

19 Jan 2006

Swiss hospital to permit assisted suicide

A hospital in Switzerland has announced it will allow assisted suicide on its premises for terminally ill patients.

19 Dec 2005

Evidence is mounting to link toxoplasmosis with schizophrenia

Keep pet cats inside, stop feeding strays, cook meat sufficiently and reconsider the way the veterinary profession and public health agencies think - and teach - about the zoonotic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii.

18 Oct 2005

British Medical Journal publishes euthanasia opinions

Next month's debate in the House of Lords could begin the process of changing the law on euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. To help doctors decide where they stand, the British Medical Journal has published a range of opinions.

26 Sep 2005

Assessing physician compliance with the rules for euthanasia and assisted suicide

Physicians in the Netherlands rely on careful patient evaluations and official practice guidelines when considering patient requests for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (EAS), according to a study in the August 8/22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

10 Aug 2005

Bishop of Manchester addresses doctors at BMA Annual Conference

In a robust address at the annual British Medical Association Conference Service, on Sunday 26th June, the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Revd. Nigel McCulloch accused the government of undermining trust between the medical profession and the public. He said:

26 Jun 2005

Nurses in the UK are calling for a reconsideration of the laws governing euthanasia

At their annual meeting the Royal College of Nursing heard arguments in favour of terminally-ill patients having the right to decide when and how to end their lives.

26 Apr 2005