Scott to lobby against legalising euthanasia

Kaikoura MP, Dr Lynda Scott, plans to campaign against moves to legalise euthanasia.

Dr Scott says she is firmly opposed to the euthanasia Bill, despite having watched two close family members die of cancer, and having had many years' experience as a geriatrician in palliative care and aged care.

"Active euthanasia, the taking of another person's life, is the thin end of the wedge. If you say it's okay for one person to take another person's life, where does it stop?

"Passive euthanasia already occurs. Patients are asked if they want to be resuscitated and those wishes are adhered to. But that is as far as it should go," she says.

Dr Scott says terminally ill people often have the opportunity to end their own life, but they don't.

"Every second of life can be precious for some people and others have no right to take that away, no matter how much suffering they're going through personally watching a loved one die.

She says much can be done to help people who are severely disabled or terminally ill through pain management, treatment for depression and appropriate support for the family.

Dr Scott argues against any legislation that sanctions the right of any person to decide the time of death of another.

"It is a dangerous line to cross," she says.

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