Euthanasia

Press, 20 October 1987, Page 12

Euthanasia

Sir,—About 25 years ago I predicted .1 would just avoid euthanasia, but now I am not so sure. I based my prediction on the growing realisation that when people have to do something disagreeable they cover it with a gloss of high-sounding phrases such as “king and country," “human rights,’’, “democracy,” etc. It may be just a coincidence that greater attention is being given to euthanasia just when the care of the aged sick is becoming an economic burden on the community — or is it?—Yours, etc VERNON WILKINSON. October 16,1987.

Sir,—The case studies mentioned (October 14) in Judge Williamson’s paper to the Law Conference should give rise to serious consideration by anyone, anywhere, contemplating administering euthanasia. Who can really know when a person is ready to depart — or, indeed, whether they actually will? The subject brings to my mind a further aspect: it is now well documented, not only by religionists, but by scientists also, that there is much more to a person than just the material body; and that when a person is medically "unconscious,” he or she, on a finer level, actually knows what is going on. This has been inarguably proven (e.g., “Life after Life,” by Dr Raymond Moodie, M.D.). People have been “talked back” to consciousness. Nurses' are advised not to speak negatively about the unconscious patient’s condition in his presence. It- seems to me very presumptuous for people to take it upon themselves to decide at what time another soul is

willing or ready to move on. It is hot for anyone else to decide whether a patient will recover or not — or at which stage. — i Yours,etc., WR&L W. MILANOVICH. l4, 1987. ; • X’,7