by Paul Russell: Ever wondered how the 'celebrity' euthanasia cases become, well, celebrity cases? Some, I imagine are simply place and time occurrences; where a well-meaning person with a terminal illness decides for themselves to use their illness to 'further a cause'. For some, like UK man, Tony Nicklinson, it is simply about their own demise and, for the likes of Brittany Maynard in the USA last year, it would appear that the media attention can become a drug of addiction.So, clearly there are those who call up a journalist off their own back and want to tell their story. Some, I have observed over the years, have spoken to the media in such a way as to make it clear, to me at least, that they had been coached by pro-euthanasia and assisted suicide campaigners in the right things to say and how to say them. Continue reading

The Supreme Court of Canada gave an extension of time to the National Parliament to legislate for euthanasia and assisted suicide. It's not enough argues Charlie Lewis. By Charlie Lewis (cross posted from Alex Schadenberg's blog)You can read Alex's full eport HERE. Continue reading

by WESLEY J. SMITH  Canada is on the verge of instituting the most radical culture of death in the world.More radical than the Netherlands, which allows psychiatrists to euthanize the mentally ill. Continue reading

Family set to sue over 'non-euthanasia' in Catholic aged care home. Over recent weeks the issue of conscientious objection, or the 'conscience clause' in the Belgian euthanasia law has been brought into the spotlight by the assertion by the new Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Jozef De Kesel, that he has the right to refuse Catholic hospitals and aged care facilities to co-operate with euthanasia.Euthanasia advocates both in academia and in the medical profession have bristled at the suggestion that institutions might say 'non' with many displaying a distinct and disturbing lack of understanding about the status of the 14 year old statute that allows doctors to kill their patients. Continue reading

Alex SchadenbergExecutive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition The Washington Times reported yesterday that the New Mexico Court of Appeal overturned Nash's activist assisted suicide decision to once again prohibit assisted suicide.The New Mexico Court of Appeals handed a defeat to the right-to-die movement Tuesday by striking down a lower-court ruling establishing physician-assisted suicide. Continue reading

In the wake of the Lecretia Seales court case Paul RussellOn the 5th of June Justice Collins handed down his judgement in the High Court of New Zealand in a case brought by New Zealand woman, Lecretia Seales. Seales had asked the court for a decision on on whether it would be an offence under the Crimes Act for her doctor to be able to help her die, and whether a ban on assisted dying contravened her human rights under the New Zealand Bill of Rights. Continue reading

As New Zealanders await the judgement in the case of Lecretia Seales who has appealed to the NZ Courts to allow her doctor to assist in her suicide without legal penalty, the country's most senior palliative care specialist issues a stern warning. According to One News, the chair of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine, Dr Amanda Landers, told Seven Sharp euthanasia presents too many grey areas."How can we make sure that people aren't being coerced - the most vulnerable sector of our society?" Continue reading