By Bonnie Chernin Rogoff
Founder, Jews For Life

Hendlin, Herbert, M.D. Seduced By Death: Doctors, Patients & the Dutch Cure.
New York: W.W. Norton, ©1997, p. 23.

Pro-life leaders always believed that once you establish a law that devalues life at the earliest stages, it is only a matter of time before laws will be enforced that disregard life in all its stages. Since Roe v. Wade, legal efforts by anti-life groups to rob the elderly and infirm of their rights to life have gained momentum in the United States.

Jews For Life takes the same position on euthanasia as abortion. It is morally wrong, cloaked in rhetoric and secrecy and abused in practice. Like abortion, assisted suicide creates a culture that devalues human life. 'Death with dignity' (like reproductive 'choice') is a euphemism that sounds compassionate. What person would be against choice? Who would want to deny a terminally-ill cancer victim suffering severe pain his right to die comfortably, and with some measure of self-respect?

We put our pets to sleep or put them down, for to prolong treatment would be considered cruel and inhumane. Some people approach the death of their loved ones in the same manner. One reason is that the mainstream press presents assisted suicide in a favorable light. Biased reporting and use of isolated examples often portrays euthanasia as a humane choice to living with unbearable pain. The dark side of legalized euthanasia is almost never shown.

Dutch law reveals a grim picture of what happens when government-sanctioned euthanasia replaces methods of preventive and palliative hospice care. Mercy killing implies the terminally-ill patient is making a fully informed decision. However many times the choice is administered coercively through various channels within the medical community, in collaboration with the victim's family and lobbying organizations such as the Dutch Voluntary Euthanasia Society and the Hemlock Society.

In assisted suicide cases, doctors are encouraged to facilitate the death process quickly. The immediate family (exhausted by the high costs and psychological commitment to long-term care) are dissuaded from exploring other options. The patient is pressured to sign the consent forms so that 'the death process' can proceed. Often, the victim is feeble and incapacitated, and unable to respond quickly enough to questions about the procedure to which he is submitting. In a film depicting an actual assisted suicide, and shown in the United States, it was the wife who answered all the questions and filled out the forms, and the afflicted husband made his decision under duress. He barely said a word throughout the film.

Neither is 'death with dignity' administered only to the elderly, or the infirm. In the Netherlands, assisted suicide has become so routine, it is applied frivolously for many reasons other than terminal illness. There are now many cases in which Dutch citizens request death as a solution to depression. In one particularly disturbing example, an anguished woman wanted to die after suffering the tragic loss of both her sons (the 'Netty Boomsma' case is detailed in the book "Seduced by Death," by Herbert Hendlin, M.D. cited at the top of this article). Netty's case was referred by the Dutch Voluntary Euthanasia Society to a consultant physician, Dr. Chabot, who met with Netty a couple of times. She explained that her circumstances left her with no desire to go on living. Rather than explore bereavement therapy and seeing the patient was adamant and refused medication, Dr. Chabot consulted with a team of medical experts. Two of those doctors, one a prominent psychiatrist, objected to proceeding with suicide and recommended therapy instead. However, Chabot made a written appeal and the majority of doctors agreed with his evaluation. Netty Boomsma was granted her wish.

There are a growing number of Netty Boomsmas in Holland. Perhaps that is the problem; desperate people are seen as disposable numbers, not individuals with unique contributions to society. One would think such subversion of Dutch Euthanasia Law would indicate a need for restraints, and revisions. Rather than restrict such practices Dutch advocacy groups have prevailed so that now, unrestricted euthanasia has officially been enacted into law by the Dutch Parliament. Children as young as sixteen will be making decisions whether to live or die. Dutch citizens carry cards requesting their right to palliative care, in the event of an accident coma, or serious medical condition. Does this sound like the compassionate, sympathetic movement that was supposed to take cancer patients out of their misery?

In America, the Terri Schiavo case gained national attention. This young Florida woman lapsed into a coma following a mysterious fall ostensibly resulting from a heart attack. Since then her husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo has reneged on his promise to provide basic medical care for Terri, using malpractice award money toward legal costs. Mr. Schiavo had Terri's feeding tube removed against the wishes of Terri's parents, who want to assume guardianship of their daughter. Governor Jeb Bush signed legislation that had Terri's feeding tube reinserted, but legal battles continue. For more details on this heart-wrenching case, refer to my article under "Euthanasia" or go to the Schindler family's official website: www.terrisfight.org.

Jewish law and tradition requires that we preserve life wherever possible, and that under no circumstances should euthanasia be promoted as the solution to pain. Instead, all efforts should be made by physicians to alleviate pain, and the use of narcotics is acceptable. Jews believe that life has value, and death should not be encouraged. My father died of a very painful form of cancer. If mercy killing were the best solution to a complex problem, perhaps I'd reconsider my position. However, the slippery slope has proven that euthanasia should not be legal.

Jews For Life hopes that all Americans who care deeply about their lives, and the lives of their loved ones do not wait idly by until our government chooses our fates for us. We feel the United States should reject the "Dutch Treat" of assisted suicide.

© 2004 Jews For Life

Below are some excellent links on the subject of euthanasia and assisted suicide. I strongly recommend these sites.

For all articles on the subject of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Please note: If you operate a web site or service that provides information on euthanasia and assisted suicide, and wish to have a link displayed on this page, then please contact us here: Euthanasia Issues.

United States

The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity
Website: http://www.cbhd.org
2065 Half Day Road
Bannockburn, IL 60015
Phone: 1(847) 317-8180
Fax: 1(847)317-8101
E-Mail: info@cbhd.org

"The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity exists to help individuals and organizations address the pressing bioethical challenges of our day, including managed care, end-of-life treatment, genetic intervention, euthanasia and suicide, and reproductive technologies." This is not strictly a euthanasia site per se, but they offer many interesting articles on the subject and other life issues as well.

Citizens United Resisting Euthanasia (CURE)
Website: http://cureltd.blogspot.com
812 Stephen St.
Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Phone: 1(304)258-LIFE
Fax: 1(304) 258-5420
E-Mail: CUREltd@ix.netcom.com

Founded in 1981, Citizens United Resisting Euthanasia (CURE, Ltd.) is a nationwide network of concerned citizens of diverse professional, political, and religious backgrounds bound together in a common cause: uncompromising opposition to euthanasia. To this end, we practice compassion, unity, research and education.

Euthanasia.com
Website: http://www.euthanasia.com
E-Mail: euthan@email.com

One stop website and clearinghouse for extensive worldwide information and research on euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, living wills and mercy killing. Table of contents indexes numerous articles by subject, country and state. Articles by medical, legal and religious authorities, disabled people's individual stories, related organizations and links. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force
Website: http://www.iaetf.org
P.O. Box 760
Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: 1(740) 282-3810
E-Mail: info@iaetf.org

From their website: "Euthanasia, assisted suicide, advance directives, assisted suicide proposals, "right-to-die" cases, euthanasia practices in the Netherlands, disability rights, pain control, and much, much more." Includes detailed site index.

Terri's Fight
Website: http://www.terrisfight.org
The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation
4615 Gulf Blvd - #104/103 St Petersburg Beach, FL 33706

The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation is a group of volunteers who are dedicated to protecting the life and liberty of a disabled woman. Along with Terri's immediate family, the Foundation works to make the truth about Terri's case known in order to protect her and others like her.

United Kingdom

First Do No Harm
Website: http://www.donoharm.org.uk
Doctors Who Respect Life,
P.O. Box 17317
London SW3 4WJ.
Telephone: 00 44 (0) 1481 264103 or 00 44 (020) 7730 2800
Fax: 00 44 (0) 1481 264162
E-Mail: enquires@donoharm.org.uk

From their website: "A doctors' action group, 'First Do No Harm' has been formed to oppose the current campaign for euthanasia and to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the World Medical Association's "Declaration of Geneva" of 1948, the reformulation of the Hippocratic Oath. In this a doctor promises: "The health and life of my patient will be my first consideration."

Canada

Compassionate Healthcare Network
P.O. Box 62548 - 12874 - 96 Ave.
Surrey, BC Canada V3V 7V6.
Phone: 1(604) 582-8687
Fax: 1(604) 582-7690
E-Mail: chn@intergate.bc.ca

The Compassionate Healthcare Network (CHN) was formed in 1992. CHN consists of both professional and lay people who CARE about the crisis medicine and healthcare is experiencing, and promote 'Aid in Living.' CHN opposes euthanasia by actively defending the inherent value of all human life. CHN's work is international, and comprises a network of people who provide speakers and workshops; research data pertaining to euthanasia, assisted suicide, and palliative care, Advance Directives, (living wills and protective medical documents) and videos to professionals, students Churches, the government, lay organizations and individuals.

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition BC
Website: http://www.epc.bc.ca
Address: The Secretary - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition BC
103 - 2609 Westview Drive
Suite 126
North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N2
Phone: 1(604)794-3772
Fax: 1(604)794-3960
E-Mail: info@epc.bc.ca

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition BC is an alliance of several Christian, Jewish and Medical Organizations opposed to the promotion or legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Among their many purposes is to educate the public on the harm and risks associated with the promotion of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and to increase public awareness of palliative care as a possible alternative to the relief of suffering. Commentaries, news, press releases and links included. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

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