NZMA Continues to Oppose Euthanasia

31 July 2005

NZMA Continues to Oppose Euthanasia

At its Board meeting this weekend the NZMA Board decided not to review its position on euthanasia.

“The NZMA Board has voted to retain its current position which is to oppose euthanasia which it views as unethical,” says NZMA Chairman Dr Ross Boswell.

The NZMA Board approved a formal policy statement on euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide, which has been in preparation for some time.

The policy states: “The NZMA is opposed to both the concept and practice of euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide. Euthanasia, that is the act of deliberately ending the life of a patient, even at the patient’s request or at the request of close relatives, is unethical.”

“The NZMA concurs with the policy of the World Medical Association which opposes euthanasia,” says Dr Boswell.

ENDS

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