Euthanasia: is it just?

Position paper on euthanasia Background In the last decade or so several countries have taken action aimed at guaranteeing the right of adult patients of sound mind to direct that extraordinary measures to prolong life be stopped. South Australia passed the Natural Death Act in 1983, Victoria the Medical Treatment Act in 1988, the Northern Territory the Natural Death Act in 1988 and the Australian Capital Territory the Medical Treatment Act in 1994. NSW issued "interim guidelines" in 1993. To …

…she wishes to be put to death, supplies the necessary equipment or poison, and renders any necessary assistance. This does not cover the situation where a person wishes to give in advance a direction that in the event of certain circumstances including incapacity occurring, euthanasia should be carried out. The Society acknowledges this, but believes legislators would be wise to venture cautiously into this area rather than attempting to cover every contingency at a stroke.