Kiwis choose euthanasia

New Zealand has just chosen euthanasia, by a whopping majority of about 65%. By my count, that makes the Land of the Long White Cloud the fifth country to legalise euthanasia, along with the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Canada. Several American states, two Australian states, and Switzerland also have passed laws which permit assisted suicide. Campaigners against the new law conducted a survey before the referendum and found that most people knew very little about the bill. It will be interesting to see if it takes off as quickly as it has in Canada.

Michael Cook
Editor

Michael Cook
Solid majority for change
1603712640

Author
Recent Posts

Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

BioEdge

BioEdge has closed its doors

How liberal are American bioethicists?

Doctors can be socialized to cooperate in morally despicable evil, says bioethicist

3 sperm donors from same family in Quebec have sired 600 children

American IVF clinics are happily offering sex selection

Owner of castration website in UK found guilty of grievous bodily harm

Missouri man killed wife because he couldn’t afford her medical bills

World Medical Association calls for a bilateral ceasefire in Gaza

Female doctors’ patients may have lower mortality and hospital readmission rates