The Canadian Medical Association Maintains Opposition to Euthanasia

The Canadian Medical Association continues to oppose euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, according to a policy update issued May 29, 2007.

The CMA policy on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide states definitively: Canadian physicians should not participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Conflicting reports earlier in the year suggested that the CMA would re-evaluate its policy on euthanasia and assisted suicide at the association’s annual general meeting in August. The CMA’s Committee on Ethics reviewed the policy following a resolution passed during the 2006 General Council meeting, and the updated policy was approved in May. The findings of that report were scheduled to be presented to members during the August meetings this year, but no further changes were anticipated.

Among the issues raised by the CMA in the policy update on euthanasia was the need for better palliative care services in Canada, concern for the safety of suicidal individuals, and  a call for public input—the policy statement emphasized that any law change should take place through Parliament, not through the courts.

The CMA also warned of the difficulty of placing limits on assisted suicide and euthanasia laws once such legislation has been accepted, as seen in the Netherlands:

“If euthanasia or assisted suicide or both are permitted for competent, suffering, terminally ill patients, there may be legal challenges, based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to extend these practices to others who are not competent, suffering or terminally ill,” the policy statement warned.

“Courts may be asked to hear cases involving euthanasia for incompetent patients on the basis of advance directives or requests from proxy decision makers. Such cases could involve neurologically impaired patients or newborns with severe congenital abnormalities. The ‘Groningen protocol’, which sets out five criteria for the provision of euthanasia to incurably ill babies, was adopted in Holland. Psychiatrists recognize the possibility that a rational, otherwise well person may request suicide. Such a person could petition the courts for physician-assisted suicide.”