Volume 13, Number 1, 2003

Letter to the Editor

Alister Browne’s article "Robert & Tracy Latimer" (Health Ethics Today Vol.12, No.1, 2001) argued for euthanasia of the disabled and supported Robert Latimer’s actions. Browne claimed Tracy had a "life not worth living"; preventing euthanasia legislation of such disabled people is not in their best interest; and euthanizing the disabled isn’t morally different than withdrawal of life sustaining treatment. Browne used the Canadian Paediatric Society's position paper, "Treatment decisions for infants and children," and four court cases for leniency for Robert Latimer. I disagree with Browne on these issues.

(1) A life not worth living – This slogan was associated with Nazi Germany's Aktion T-4 permitting the killing of the disabled and adumbrated the Holocaust. (2) Legislation permitting euthanasia – Such legislation can mitigate a sentence if the victim was disabled and the killer can prove that the victim's life was "not worth living," even if there was evil intent involved. (3) Euthanasia vs. selective non-treatment - Gassing etc. causes death. Selective non-treatment such as eliminating support systems may cause death depending on each person's circumstances. Also continuing life support systems could prolong dying. This was not Tracy Latimer's case. (4) The Canadian Paediatric Society's position paper - This states that handicapped children have a right to life with medical treatment to improve or prolong life including control of pain for the dying even if analgesics could hasten death, “However...the objective of hastening death is forbidden." Further, parental refusal requires court intervention. Tracy Latimer's physicians had determined that treatment was in her best interests. (5) Court cases re leniency - Three cases dealt with terminally ill elderly people, and one with two octogenarians in a botched joint suicide. There is no precedent for euthanizing a young, non-terminally ill, disabled person, still under medical treatment.

Joseph M. Kirman PhD
Professor Emeritus
Dept. of Elementary Education
University of Alberta