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9 September 2004
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics considers that the poll published today and commissioned by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society1 is misguided. The survey is presented on the same day as the House of Lords begins an enquiry on End of Life Issues.2
Dr. Calum MacKellar, the Director of Research of the SCHB stated, in this respect, that "the poll's questions are misleading in suggesting that patients are suffering when they approach death" adding that "the poll did not take proper consideration of developments in the hospice movement and palliative care which allow pain and distressing symptoms of disease to be adequately alleviated in all but the most extreme cases." Experience shows that once people are comfortable and their fears concerning suffering have been addressed, they often change their minds about wanting to end their lives.
Dr. MacKellar also stated that "even in the extremely rare cases where suffering does not respond to treatment there is the possibility, with the informed consent of the patient, of using artificial transient sedation. Thus, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to die in pain."
Finally, he indicated that "the provision of hospice and palliative care have clearly shown that there is a positive alternative to euthanasia and assisted suicide which involves relieving pain rather than killing patients."
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics concurred, furthermore, that if euthanasia was accepted, the manner in which society viewed both death and disability would change. In this regard, Dr. MacKellar said that "People who are difficult or costly to care for may then be seen as second class citizens. In addition, it would fundamentally change the role of doctors and other healthcare professionals, whose role has always been to cure and care for their patients, not to help them die."
1 Half 'would help loved ones die': BBC - 9 September 2004