AMA Representative Slams Euthanasia Drug Smugglers

Australia, 9 May 07 -- The Australian Medical Association (AMA) says it is alarmed a growing number of elderly Australians may be turning to an illegal drug to take their lives.

ABC TV's Four Corners program has broadcast claims that hundreds of people are illegally importing the powerful sedative Nembutal to Australia, while others have successfully made the drug here.

Nembutal is a banned drug in Australia and those caught importing or manufacturing it risk jail.

Dr Rosanna Capolingua from the AMA's ethics committee has told Four Corners it shows the desperation in some individuals.

"We have to solve what the desperation is about. We have to relieve them of the need and belief that they should have, and need to have, the right to choose death over continuing to live," she said.

Dr Capolingua says she believes those breaking the law should be prosecuted.

Readers Respond

Damned if Dr. Rosanna Capolinqua`s words don`t read like something one would find in the satirical Onion, an American publication.

The good doctor says, "We have to solve what the desperation is about. We have to relieve them of the need and belief that they should have, and need to have, the right to choose death over continuing to live."

C`mon doctor !! You said that with a straight face? Perhaps thinking like yours is part of the cause for desperation by your countrymen. And talk about stereotypical doctor arrogance! How dare anyone think they "have the right to choose death over continuing to live." Just who do they think they are?

And good doctor, just what is your plan on how you would "relieve them of the need and belief" that they have any control over their own dying process?

And this lady is on the medical ethics committee... wow, my heart goes out to all you people Down Under.

Bernie Klein, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Is Dr Rosanna Capolingua from the AMA's ethics committee so thick as to be unable to recognise the dignity with which many elderly people face death?

The quality of life was so clearly expressed by those participating in the ABC TV's Four Corners program. When that goes, along with 80% of Australians responding to a legitimate poll, I too ask for medical
assistance to die with dignity.

We are not desperate, Dr Capolingua. How patronising of you to wish to relieve us of our right to choose death. Leave us to make our own choice untrammelled by your beliefs and those of the few who meddle with our right to die.

Pauline Reilly, Australia

A Physician Responds

Dear Dr Capolingua,

I want to kill myself.

Before you start worrying about me....I feel fine. In fact I FEEL GREAT!!

I love my life and I love my work. I have a great family. I live in the best country in the world.

With respect YOU HAVE MISSED THE POINT.

I watched you in dismay on 4 Corners last night as a group of vibrant alert CHEERFUL old people fought for their right over their lives.

Instead of supporting them, you would condemn them to a life which made them miserable. This is no less than tragic. I wonder what motivates you?

This morning on ABC radio you wondered what makes people "so desperate" to kill themselves.... MY GOD IT IS YOU.

I am going to kill myself because THAT IS HOW I PREFER TO DIE. I am not desperate. I am not depressed. I have no ill will toward anyone (except those who would harm others). I have watched enough people die to know EXACTLY what I am doing, and how and why.

Now if you have your way I will have to jump in front of a train and cause a lot of grief to a lot of people.

I would prefer if you held my hand gently and gave it a final squeeze before injecting the barbiturate into my vein.

But that would require a level of humanity which you appear unable to grasp.

I am sorry if this sounds personal ...but yes it is.

Your attitude affects ME PERSONALLY. Your beliefs would condemn me to die slowly and in distress. What causes ME distress is for ME to decide, not you. My beliefs do you no harm at all. None of the people on 4 Corners would hurt a fly, yet you would hurt them. You can take as long as you like to die of motor neurone disease or dementia. What gives you the right to insist that I do likewise?

Please rethink your position.

The AMA needs to get right out of this issue.

Surveys repeatedly show most doctors agree with voluntary (I REPEAT VOLUNTARY) euthanasia.

You are misrepresenting your members.

I will take my life. You cannot stop me. You can only try to make it more difficult. Now what kind of evil is that?

Yours sincerely,

GEORGE QUITTNER

(Just a normal happy family doctor, no sign of desperation whatsoever)

DOCTOR GEORGE QUITTNER

PRIVATE FAMILY PHYSICIAN