26.06.2009
Search-TCD Colloquium on End of Life Issues
The issues surrounding Euthanasia and the end of life were explored and debated at a day long seminar in Trinity College Dublin organised by SEARCH and the Church of Ireland Chaplaincy to the University.
Five speakers addressed the issue from moral, theological, medical and legal perspectives. Professor Robin Gill, Professor of Modern Theology at the University of Kent introduced the issue. He argued that while in certain terminal cases it could be argued that patients had a “right” to seek medical help to end their lives with the support of their families, it would be dangerous to change the law to allow for this. Suicide is no longer a criminal offence; but assisting with the suicide of another is punishable by law and he would prefer it to remain so. Otherwise dangerous “slippage” could occur, leading to a threat to vulnerable people.
Professor Paul Badham, Professor of Theology and Religious studies at the University of Wales and a Patron of Dignity in Dying argued in favour of a change in the law. He urged that Christians should not be afraid of death but should rather rejoice at its approach, as did the early Christians. Jesus’ “Golden Rule” of loving action, amounting to “do as you would be done to”, surely meant that we should help, not hinder, those who pleaded to be released from the final stages of a debilitating or dehumanising disease. He used statistics from Oregon, the Netherlands and Switzerland, in all of which assisted suicide is permitted by law, to argue that “slippage” into involuntary euthanasia had not occurred and should not be expected to occur.
Professor Maureen Junker Kenny, Associate Professor of Theology in Trinity College, Dublin argued against a change from a theological point of view. She emphasised the inherent and transcendental dignity of every human life, however useless or intolerable that life might appear to the casual observer. Professor Des O'Neill, Associate Professor of Gerontology in the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght also argued against a change. He argued that there would be no call for physician-assisted suicide if all those caring for patients nearing the end of their lives were competent, and trained to give appropriate care.
Professor Ivana Bacik examined the issue from a legal perspective. She noted that the Oireachtas has taken no action yet regarding advance directives, but that advance decisions re withdrawal of treatment are allowed in the UK.
The day closed with a panel discussion chaired by Revd Dr Rory Corbett, chair of the C of I medical ethics working group.