The Infowarriors Team

April 19, 2012

The Journal of Medical Ethics strikes again. A month ago, they were discussing ‘ethical issues’ regarding after-birth abortions, also known as homicide among regular human beings.  In the fifth issue of their 38th volume, an article was published under the following title: Older peoples’ attitudes towards euthanasia and an end-of-life pill in The Netherlands: 2001–2009.  The elderly were asked whether they could imagine requesting their physician to end their life (known as euthanasia) and the results indicate that the sample population seemed to have a more ‘positive’ attitude over time. This essentially translates to the elderly being constantly questioned over 8 years and getting used to the abstract idea that was continuously repeated to them.

In addition to the supposed favorable view of the elderly towards euthanasia, the scientists approach the subject of end-of-life pills.  The same elderly population was asked, again over the period of 8 years, whether they could “imagine asking for a pill to end their life if they became tired of living in the absence of a severe disease.”  To their disappointment only 31% said yes in 2001.  Unfortunately, this percentage then rose to 45% in 2008.

It seems surreal that so-called ethical scientists waste their time harassing ageing populations with questions on whether they are willing to kill themselves or if they can imagine a scenario where they would ask their doctor for a death pill. How can we take such journals and scientists seriously? How can they ask to be respected?

The most despicable statement is found in the introduction, in the very first few lines, where a statement is made on the increase in older persons as populations age and how this leads to the importance of discussing end-of-life care.  If I am not mistaken, ‘care’ by definition suggests the provision of what is necessary for health, welfare, maintenance and protection of someone.  According Hilde M. Buiting and his collegues, this means giving them pills to kill themselves.

This is beyond doublespeak (as mentionned in George Orwells ’1984′). This is an article that promotes murder to alleviate costs in health care systems.  We have heard enough. This journal has lost all credibility in our eyes and we hope others will realize that a fancy name does not change the FACT that this is the second time this journals calls for the general acceptance to doctors committing homicide.