- LETTER TO THE EDITOR, JUDY DENT 18/04/08 (from a contributor) -


To: NT News
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 3:55 PM
Subject: Letter to the Editor

I agree with Lois Fong's assertion that Christians have every right to contribute to the debate about euthanasia laws. However, I wonder if she has asked those for whom she is speaking what their feelings are on the matter. After my husband died using the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act (ROTI), I received sympathy cards and letters from Christian friends and from Christian strangers, all supportive of his choice. Many stated unequivocally that they disagreed with their church's stand on the issue.

The latest Newspoll asking if doctors should be allowed to supply a lethal dose to terminally ill patients found 80% of all those questioned said Yes. And 75% of those who identified themselves as Christian answered Yes. The actual wording of the question was: "If a hopelessly ill patient, experiencing unrelievable suffering, with absolutely no chance of recovering, asks for a lethal dose, should a doctor be allowed to provide a lethal dose or not?"

ROTI was not a seat-belt law; it was an option that should be available for those who want it, alongside good palliative care. Strangely enough, the state of Oregon allows physician assisted dying and has the best palliative care in the USA. Maybe having a euthanasia law makes governments improve palliative care to ensure few people request the euthanasia option.


Judy Dent

President, Northern Territory Voluntary Euthanasia Society
Widow of Bob Dent, first person to die under ROTI

 

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