The Right to Die For Patients with Incurable Medical Conditions

The Supreme Court of Canada has reversed a 1993 ban to allow the doctors to help patients get out of their sufferings because of incurable medical conditions. The doctors can now help their patients to die. The government has a year to revise the laws on assisted suicide. There are several European countries and a couple of US states where assisted suicide is legal according to BBC. In Canada, it is unlawful to aid or abet a suicide, and the crime can lead to 14 years in prison. Physician-assisted dying getting recognition can help hundreds of patients to end their unbearable suffering.

Canadian Medical Association has now changed its stance regarding its long opposition to doctors' helping in suicides. The new policy, as per smh.com, allow the physicians to deciding whether to give medical aid to dying based on the condition of the patient and their conscience. However, some churches and advocate for disabled people do not agree with the decision of the courts. There were two women from British Columbia whose legal cases were not entertained. Kay Carter, who was suffering from a degenerative condition spinal stenosis, was taken to Switzerland, where such deaths are legal. Her daughter, Lee Carter agrees that it is a major victory for Canadians.

The decision from the court will come into effect in 12 months so as to allow the lawmakers to write the law carefully and in detail. Now patients who are suffering from an incurable and intolerable medical condition, which could be physical or psychological, will have the right to end their lives, as RT news reports. Currently, the Canada law states that it is illegal to help in such suicides. Existing legislation will remain in place for one more year, and that means that physicians will not have the permission to assist patients in their deaths immediately.