By Bobby Schindler
I found this article very interesting, or should I say pathetic?
Philip Nitschke recently appeared as a witness in a euthanasia trial. Evidently, the prosecutor claimed that he was “hell-bent” on helping a man to commit assisted suicide despite the fact that he suffered from severe Alzheimer’s. Of course Nitschke denied the accusation and also that he had a “reckless disregard for human life” or that he “abrogated” his responsibilities as a doctor.
However, listen to Nitschke’s response when asked how he determines whether or not a person has the mental faculties to decide to commit suicide.
“It was ‘an impression one forms after discussion’. If they can consistently, and repeatedly and coherently put a position that this is what they want ... ”
So let get this right, a man with severe Alzheimer’s has the mental capacity to “repeatedly” and “coherently” communicate that he wants to kill himself.
No reckless disregard for human life there.
America's most
influential
journal of
religion and
public life
Subscribe
Latest Issue
Support First Things
influential
journal of
religion and
public life
Subscribe
Latest Issue
Support First Things