Printed from: https://www.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/pressrelease/?id=19
Published: 17th May 2003
The survey, administered by Doctors.Net the foremost medical internet company in the UK, was completed by 986 doctors over a two-week period: 26 March-9 April 2003. The results, released on 13 May, are very similar to those from a survey published in Hospital Doctor on 13 March, which showed that 57% of doctors were opposed to the law in Britain being changed to allow euthanasia.
CMF General Secretary Peter Saunders said, 'This poll is a slap in the face to pro-euthanasia groups like the VES (Voluntary Euthanasia Society) and UKActNow who are waging a major campaign to manipulate public opinion in the lead up to a major debate in the House of Lords. Lord Joffe's Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill aims to legalise euthanasia and is due to have its Second Reading on 6 June.'
'This bill is dangerous. If passed it will legalise euthanasia for any patient with an 'irremediable condition' (defined as 'a terminal or serious physical illness') with 'unbearable suffering' (as defined by the patient!) provided that two doctors can confirm that the patient is of sound mind and has made the request voluntarily. It would open the floodgates to euthanasia in this country.'
'Voluntary euthanasia violates all historically accepted codes of medical ethics including the Hippocratic Oath, the Declaration of Geneva and the International Code of Medical Ethics. Rather than offering people lethal injections we should be marshalling resources to provide good palliative care. It is noteworthy that in the survey not one palliative care doctor who responded would practice either euthanasia or assisted suicide. This is because treatments for the symptoms which prompt requests for euthanasia already exist.'
'The House of Lords Select Committee on Medical Ethics in 1994 opposed any change in the law to allow euthanasia after an extensive enquiry. They concluded that it was virtually impossible to ensure that all acts of euthanasia were truly voluntary and were also concerned that vulnerable people - the elderly, lonely, sick or distressed - would feel pressure, whether real or imagined, to request early death. The British Medical Association also remains opposed to euthanasia'
Saunders cited the 1991 Remmelink report which recorded over 1,000 instances of patients being killed without their consent in the Netherlands in one year. 'Voluntary euthanasia leads inevitably to patients being killed without their consent. Let's be quite clear about that. History teaches us that all that is necessary for a slippery slope to operate is favourable public opinion, a handful of willing doctors, economic pressure and a law allowing it. We have the first three ingredients already in this country and that is why it is so essential that this Bill is not passed.'
'I cannot stress enough how important it is that Christians pray and write to members of the House of Lords to oppose this bill. The Abortion Act, which has led to the deaths of 6 million unborn children in this country since 1968, was passed because too few people protested.'
Further information:
CMF Website - www.cmf.org.uk
Members of the House of Lords - www.publications.parliament.uk
Patient Assisted Dying Bill - www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
