By Matilda
Three out of the five years I have been at university I have lost at least one person to death. Two were grandparents. One was 83 and wanted to do everything she could to stay alive, the other was 103 and asked if there was a pill she could take to help her die. In 2005 my grandpa who had prostate cancer refused medical treatment and wanted nature to run its course. He was given 14 days to live but did not make it past 14 hours. Three different people, three different situations and three different reasons why euthanasia is a contentious and controversial issue.
Since the ‘End-of-Life Choice’ Bill was introduced in 2017 it has received 39,270 submissions, the most any bill has ever received in New Zealand history, and many of which were against the bill. It is now due for its second reading and even the MP in charge, David Seymour is not satisfied with how it stands (New Zealand Parliament, 2019). The aim of the bill is to “allow people to request assisted dying if they have a terminal illness or a grievous and irremediable medical condition (Justice Committee, 2019, p. 2).” Whilst assisted dying is defined as “the administration by a medical practitioner of a lethal dose of medication to a person to relieve his or her suffering by hastening death (Justice Committee, 2019, p. 2).”
There are several arguments for and against the legalisation of euthanasia in New Zealand. Some argue that there should be no need for euthanasia (assisted dying) if we have good palliative care and that greater access to palliative care will improve end-of-life care (Hospice New Zealand, 2017). Whilst others argue that they should be allowed to choose to die with dignity. A meme online with the words ‘if assisted suicide is a triumph for autonomy and choice, how can youth suicide be a tragedy?” did not come without backlash. Other arguments state that the end-of-life choice bill is a slippery slope, a ‘greenlight to granny abuse’, that people don’t want really want to die, they simply want their suffering to end, or that people will choose assisted dying because they feel like they’re a burden on their loved ones. Even medical professionals argue that the bill goes against the ethics of their profession.
As someone who has been exposed to death from a young age. Someone who has seen the people they love die. Someone who has wanted to die. Someone who knows people with a terminal illness and a grievous and irremediable medical condition. Someone whose father received financial gain when their grandmother passed away. I cannot say I support the bill wholeheartedly. Maybe a little. Maybe not at all. Maybe it is something that can never really be understood unless it is you who has that choice or is denied that choice.
To you, my friend
I am sorry
The world is so unkind
You don’t deserve this
I would trade places with you If I could
Take away your pain, your suffering
But instead,
I hold you
Your hand
It will be okay, I say
You cry
If you had the choice I know you’d go
Leave this earth
This planet
But you don’t
References:
Hospice New Zealand. (2019). Euthanasia – our opinion. Retrieved from http://www.hospice.org.nz/about-hospice-nz/euthanasia-our-opinion
New Zealand Legislation, Justice Committee (2019). End of Life Choice Bill Commentary. Retrieved from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/member/2017/0269/latest/DLM7285905.html
New Zealand Parliament (n.d.). End of Life Choice Bill. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_74307/tab/submissionsandadvice
2019 Social work blog 413 /713 