Euthanasia in UK Puts Vulnerable at Risk

Christian Post — There is considerable attention being brought to assisted suicide and euthanasia in England recently. Several groups in favor of changing laws concerned with such acts have increased their lobbying of members of the British Parliament and the debate over euthanasia is reaching a fever pitch.

Rev. Dr. Brendan McCarthy, the National Adviser on medical ethics as well as health and social care policy for the Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council, is warning of a growing sentiment towards assisted suicide would put the elderly and vulnerable- including the mentally unstable- at risk.

“Any weakening of the law on euthanasia would place pressure on vulnerable individuals to ‘do the decent thing’ and remove themselves from being burdens on their families or on the state,” McCarthy said, as reported by the Telegraph.

He added that “a change in the law or in its interpretation would also lend unintended weight to the argument that a person’s value is measured in terms of their ‘usefulness.’”

McCarthy also highlights the feelings towards supporting assisted suicide stems from the belief in gauging a person’s “quality of life” with their activity.

“A compassionate and caring society will affirm the intrinsic value of the lives of each of its members, regardless of their perceived contribution to society … life is of value, even if the individual deems his or her life to be valueless.”