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US Palliative Care Academy Drops Opposition to Assisted Suicide

Follows documented strategy of Right to Die societies to advance euthanasia

By Gudrun Schultz

GLENVIEW, Illinois, March 8, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The leading US authority on palliative care has adopted a position of “studied neutrality” on the issue of physician-assisted suicide, following on the heels of a similar statement released by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association in November.

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine released a policy statement following approval by the AAHPM board of directors on Feb.14, 2007.

“The AAHPM recognizes that deep disagreement persists regarding the morality of PAD,” the document states. “Sincere, compassionate, morally conscientious individuals stand on either side of this debate. AAHPM takes a position of ‘studied neutrality’ on the subject of whether PAD should be legally regulated or prohibited, believing its members should instead continue to strive to find the proper response to those patients whose suffering becomes intolerable despite the best possible palliative care.”

Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, said the AAHPM’s new position statement plays directly into the strategy of the Right to Die societies working to legalize assisted suicide in the United States.

“Last year I attended the World-Wide Federation of Right to Die Societies conference in Toronto,” Schadenberg wrote in a press statement. “They explained that they had two focuses: One was to change the language--through polling and focus groups, they found that the word suicide had negative connotations for people. The second was to get leading medical associations to take a position of ‘studied neutrality’.”

“Last November the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) took a similar position of ‘studied neutrality’, In 2005 the British Medical Association took a position of ‘studied neutrality’ but that position was reversed at their Annual General Meeting in August 2006.”

Schadenberg pointed out that the AAHPM’s adoption of the language preferred by assisted-suicide activists indicates a growing acceptance of the pro-death movement—activist groups have pushed for the use of the term “Physician-Assisted Death” to replace “Physician-Assisted Suicide” to improve the image of the practice with the general public.

The AAHPM defended the switch in terminology by saying the term PAD “captures the essence of the process in a more accurately descriptive fashion than the more emotionally charged designation Physician-assisted Suicide.”

Leading bioethics critic Wesley J. Smith condemned the AAHPM’s statement as an “utter abdication of professional responsibility,” in a blog posting at wesleyjsmith.com.

“Assisted suicide is controversial, which is precisely why the guidance of the Academy on this crucial matter is needed. After all, what good is a position paper about uncontroversial matters? That takes no courage or leadership, which [are] precisely the qualities shown by the AAHPM.”


See AAHPM statement:
http://www.aahpm.org/positions/suicide.html

To express concerns, contact:

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
4700 W. Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025-1485
847/375-4712
Fax 877/734-8671
E-mail:

See related LifeSiteNews coverage:

Canadian Hospice Association Slammed for Abandoning Opposition to Euthanasia
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jan/07010909.html

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