Letters / The right of choice
I felt it necessary to respond to Brian Nugent’s letter of 27 February, referencing the Assisted Dying Bill and palliative care.
Brian has powerful religious beliefs which may somewhat colour his judgement regarding the issue of assisted dying.
Brian’s reference to a loaded committee claims this results in “a rushed, reckless and dangerous acquisition of information”.
This is simply disingenuous! The fact is all of the organisations he draws our attention to were invited to give evidence. None were excluded.
The reference to anorexia, an eating disorder, was voted down. Of course, it was. Anorexia is an eminently treatable disorder. A full recovery is absolutely the norm. It has never been regarded as a “terminal illness” so is outside the scope of this legislation.
Palliative care, indeed, provides care and support, however, it does no more than just that.
In many terminal illnesses, it can offer little. Medicines’ most powerful painkillers are only 85 per cent effective against the most severe pain. Cancer cells invading the sensory nervous system can trigger horrendous pain, palliative care will not stop that.
If one’s gut is invaded by secondary tumours, invasive and painful surgery can help. However, eventually, a blocked gut will result in faeces being vomited. In many terminal cancers, this is the norm. Palliative care will not stop that.
Many terminal diseases result in total paralysis of all motor functions. Slow suffocation is the outcome. In Motor Neuron disease one even loses the ability to blink while one’s mind works normally. Palliative care will not stop that.
Surely the kind, indeed Christian outlook, should be to allow the victims of these diseases to choose a gentle way to pass.
Nothing here is being mandated, the Assisted Dying Bill gives just the right of choice.
Ian Tinkler
Clousta
