Chilliwack Pro-Life Society - What is Euthanasia?
Frequently Asked Questions About Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.
Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of someone by action or omission, with our without that person's consent, for what are claimed to be compassionate reasons.
Assisted Suicide is counseling, abetting, or an act of aiding someone to kill himself or herself.
The present law in Canada does not distinguish between euthanasia, and other forms of murder. The key consideration is the intention to cause death. Consent or motive - even one of compassion - does not change the reality of killing a human being.
Assisted Suicide erodes our respect for human life and establishes killing as an acceptable solution to problems that are best solved through caring solutions.
There is a growing tendency to promote "mercy killing" as a solution to suffering, pain, aging, mental or physical challenges, social ills, rising health costs and cost containment.
The medical profession needs more instruction and the public needs more education, regarding hospice/palliative care and effective pain control.
Depression is the most common factor in requests for assisted suicide. Depression can be diagnosed and treated successfully. Requests for assisted suicide are often a call for help.