For Victorians who have contemplated the complexities and controversies around death, this could be a significant week.
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This week, as the Andrews government replies to recommendations on assisted suicide, marks a potential step toward legislation.
High profile advocates of “dying with dignity” have put the emotionally-charged arguments for the changes clearly.
And like many who have witnessed first-hand the slow decline and acute suffering of the terminally ill, they implore there is at least the choice to minimise the harm.
Advocates like Andrew Denton have argued on these opinion pages that the lack of choice for assisted-suicide drives some to more violent suicide.
He also argues the adhesion to Hippocratic oath and its commandment “of not hastening death” can prolong agony and in effect turn a blind eye to harm.
Ballarat professor Mark Yates has argued the focus needs to return to palliative care and changing legislation will fundamentally change relationships between the doctor and the dying.
He argues even in the most extreme conditions patients must know if a cure is not the aim then restoration of some function or at least pain relief is.
But this new option introduces to the dialogue the potential intention for a doctor to “extinguish life”, critically undermining the trust that is so vital between doctor and dying patient.
Professor Yates has warned this legislation is also a dangerous Rubicon to be crossed.
He has argued that American figures on the uptake of assisted suicide indicate the legislation imposes unwanted choices on more than 99 per cent of terminally ill patients who will feel the responsibility of their burden on others.
His fears are that by extension the law will incorporate the disabled, those with dementia or who cannot communicate, and even juveniles or those with mental health problems.
In an age when mental health and suicide are wreaking enormous damage on communities, the risks associated with expanding its potential victims demand extreme care and calm.
Wherever you stand on the debate, its complexities cannot be glossed over. It seems “to be or not to be” is still the question.
For support, call Lifeline 12 11 44.