Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

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.


Comments are visible to subscribers only. Log in or subscribe to join the conversation.

Tags

Loading...

Filter First Thoughts Posts

Related Articles