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Government draft bill will mean euthanasia for mentally incapacitated adults, says SPUC
Westminster, 27 June 2003--The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has commented on the government's draft Mental Incapacity Bill (published today), which contains proposals that would allow euthanasia by neglect.
SPUC general secretary Paul Tully commented: "The draft bill proposes
two mechanisms which could be used to force doctors to kill by
withdrawing life-sustaining treatment and care from vulnerable
patients. Patients who have signed a "lasting powers of attorney" or
an "advance decision to refuse treatment" may die by dehydration and
starvation as a result. The bill would not only affect patients who
have signed such documents, but threatens the lives of others too. It
applies to any adult who is mentally incapacitated. This includes
people who have severe learning disabilities, dementia, or brain
injuries that prevent communication."
Mr Tully continued: "All such people will be affected by the radical
proposals in the draft bill to change the aims that doctors should
pursue when treating adult patients who cannot communicate. Doctors
will no longer be able to assume that they can intervene to restore
health, prevent death or reduce discomfort. Doctors will have to be
able to show that this accords with the patient's "past and present
wishes and feelings". There is also a requirement to encourage the
patient to participate in anything done to him or for him. If a doctor
cannot prove such criteria are met, he may face criminal charges for
treating a patient.
"Legalised euthanasia is coming to Britain unless doctors and nurses, disabled people and carers, lawyers and the clergy, parents, teachers, the old and the young - all who have a voice and vote - act to stop it", concluded Mr Tully .
