This issue of “Doctors and Ethics”, the first since Dr. Norris’s much-regretted retirement, looks back on the past twelve months.
The main attack on medical ethics has come from supporters of euthanasia by omission or commission. Lord Joffe’s Patient (Assisted Suicide) Bill has attracted much attention, but in fact the greatest threat to the Hippocratic tradition of “First Do No Harm” comes from the Government’s new draft Mental Incapacity Bill. Richard Gordon Q.C., in his Counsel’s Opinion, finds that this Bill is not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights, including Article 2, which lays down that everyone’s right to life must be protected by law. (His “Conclusions” are enclosed.)
Baroness Knight’s Patients’ Protection Bill was subjected to filibustering in the House of Lords. It would be amusing to read the e-mails which must have been sent round by Government departments on this, but unfortunately we have no Lord Hutton to demand sight of them. It was finally passed on 17th September, but heavily amended.
The Guidance to doctors on withholding and withdrawing tube feeding and hydration which was issued by the General Medical Council in August 2002, is being challenged by Mr. Leslie Burke, who has cerebellar ataxia. He is asking for judicial review of the Guidance. It will be interesting to see whether the spin-doctors can achieve invisibility for this case, as has been done for the Patients’ Protection Bill.
MENTAL INCAPACITY BILL - Counsel’s Opinion on new Draft
‘DOC KNOWS BEST – it’ll be too late for you if he’s wrong'
JUDGING FUTILITY - St. Louis Review, 14 Dec 01
‘PATIENTS DEPRIVED OF FOOD – CLAIM' - SOS-NHS Patients in Danger, Catholic Times, 3 Aug 03
‘MOTHER TO CHALLENGE VENTILATOR DECISION’ - Clare Dyer, Guardian, 12 July 03
PATIENTS’ PROTECTION BILL - Third Reading debate 12 Sept 03
MORE WANT RIGHT TO LIVE - Disability Rights Commission
MAJORITY OF DOCTORS OPPOSE EUTHANASIA - Hospital Doctor, 13 Mar 03
ASSISTED SUICIDE LOSES SUPPORT IN U.S.A.- National Review Online, 20 May 03
“PRESSURE TO REFUSE TREATMENT” - Disability Tribune, March 2003
WOMAN CONDEMNED TO DEATH - SPUC News, 22 July 03
JUDGES v. PATIENTS - Canberra Times, 30 May 03
‘TERRY SCHIAVO NOW IN DEATH ROW’ - World Net Daily, 22 Aug 03
PROPAGANDA – HOW THEY DO IT - Not Dead Yet
‘PARTNERSHIP FOR CARING’ - Philanthropy magazine, Jan/Feb 2001
PEOPLE WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME DISRUPT SCREENING CONFERENCE - Disability Tribune, July 2003
‘STRICT GUIDELINES’ COMING UNSTUCK - The Lancet, Vol 361, April 19 2003, p.1352
UNFPA - Help to China’s One-Child Policy
THE PUBLIC MUSTN’T SEE IT - ALDU newsletter, Spring 2003
“SMOKERS TO BE FACED WITH LURID IMAGES” - Aberdeen Press and Journal, 4 Aug 03
MISSING BIRTHS - Labour Life Group News, Spring 2003
RESEARCH ON HUMAN EMBRYOS IN EU - Irish Independent, 10 July 03
IVF BABIES’ HEALTH - The Times, 22 Oct 02
DESIGNER BABY RULING - Court of Appeal, 8 Apr 03
OREGON CUTS HEALTH BENEFITS FOR THE POOR - Associated Press, 10 March 03
ABORTION INCREASES WOMEN’S MORTALITY RATE - Elliot Institute study, Aug 27 03 Pro-Life infonet
SALE OF HUMAN ORGANS - Guernsey Press, 20 May 03, Medical Ethics Advisor, March 03
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