Britain is facing a significant controversy. Members of Parliament are currently debating a law to legalize assisted suicide.
Life Issues Institute has a new tool to assist MPs who want to protect life.
The legislation allows terminally ill patients to request death if they are expected to die within six months. Most medical experts agree that it is impossible to determine a timeline for patients facing a terminal diagnosis.
The six-month caveat is nothing more than window dressing to advance a legislative agenda that will later be expanded.
This is not political hyperbole. Life Issues Institute researched the globe and found that 14 countries, including eleven states and territories within the USA have passed varying degrees of euthanasia. We’ve published a new interactive map that provides a documented timeline for each country or state from its original passage to their current status.
Most countries or states began with allowing assisted suicide for terminal patients who were determined to die within six months. However, without fail, so-called safeguards were summarily dropped, attempted to be expanded or they have entered into discussions about increasing the number of qualifying patients.
The forces of death are tenacious. In some cases, it took four tries before their efforts of wearing down the opposition translated into success.
You may be shocked to learn that some patients who now qualify for assisted suicide or euthanasia include children between the ages of 1 and 12 or patients with dementia. Some offer their services to people living outside the country or state.
Suicide Tourism
The tourism situation became so severe in Switzerland there were two attempts to limit their deadly services to its citizens, but both failed. Their slippery slope now allows assisted suicide for elderly people who simply wish to die.
The Netherlands specifically allows euthanasia for infants.
Austria permits anyone with a chronic illness to die. This would conceivably include conditions of diabetes, persistent pain, or even psoriasis.
Spain allows euthanasia for unbearable physical or psychological suffering which would greatly increase the number of people who qualify for death.
Ecuador’s Constitutional Court ruled active euthanasia is available to all citizens.
The state of Washington allows residents to access deadly prescriptions via telemedicine. And now the medication can be prescribed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants.
With a stunning speed of just two years, Vermont jettisoned some of its key safeguards.
Our Global Timeline on euthanasia and assisted suicide is a powerful resource for domestic or international use. It is ideal for legislators, educators, and all advocates for LIFE. Access is free to everyone.
Life Issues Institute will continue to provide educational tools and resources as we change the hearts and minds of millions in America and around the world.
Defending life,
Brad Mattes,
President, Life Issues Institute
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