The Minnesota legislature is currently debating legislation that would enable medical assistance in dying. In the last seven years, Canadians over the age of 18 with an “irreversible and serious condition, and whose death was “reasonably foreseeable” could qualify for a medical assisted death.”
Two years ago, Canadian lawmakers took it one step further and now allow any Canadian aged 18 or older “who has a serious and irreversible condition to qualify for medically assisted death – even if their condition or ailment will not lead to a ‘reasonably foreseeable’ death.
Since these laws were enacted, medically assisted deaths have increased tenfold and in 2021, “3.3 percent of all the deaths in Canada were caused by euthanasia or assisted suicide.”
And some in Minnesota want us to follow suit.
You can read more about what this tragic legislation has wrought in Canada here (excerpts below).
“A new law passed in 2021 which now permits any Canadian aged 18 and older who has a serious and irreversible condition to qualify for medically assisted death – even if their condition or ailment will not lead to a “reasonably foreseeable” death. This means that those with a disability or a mental disorder could legally request to be killed by a medical professional.
“Although Canada’s Parliament extended the delay on offering medical assistance in dying to those whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental disorder until March 2024, it is clear that Canada’s laws are on a trajectory toward inflicting even more pain on families and communities throughout the country…
“Canadian officials should heed the words of Pope Francis as they promote these radical medical assistance in dying laws and deliberate on expanding such measures to include “mature minors.”
“The Hippocratic Oath, which enshrined the ethical standards for medical professionals in the 5th century BC and is still used by some medical schools today, is clear: “I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan.”
“Canada’s medical assistance in dying laws rob patients of the support and care they deserve; the Canadian government must focus its efforts on enhancing the quality of citizens’ lives – rather than legalizing ways to make death more accessible.”
