The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7494 p333
22 March 2008

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• Darzi review
• The profession
• Tuberculosis
• Euthanasia
• Benevolent Fund
• Audit
• Minor ailment scheme
• Community pharmacy
• The Society
• Pharmacy in the media

Letters to the Editor

Euthanasia

A compelling argument, but Christians will trust in God

From Mr B. B. Speight, MRPharmS

Bob Michell advances a compelling argument in favour of euthanasia (PJ, 8 March 2008, p272). However, is this the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

I am a committed Christian and have been privileged to see many amazing miracles wrought by God and this naturally, influences my stance on this highly emotional subject.

Professor Michell is obviously a good veterinary surgeon who acts with compassion and empathy for both pet and owner, and I have had the misfortune to see two dogs euthanased for exactly the reasons that he cites in his article.

I have also had to watch my mother deteriorate to a helpless, semi-comatose state and slide into eternity — the last six weeks were extremely painful for both her and the family, so I speak from experience as well as from the Christian viewpoint.

But, do we have the right to “play God”? How do you define life? Is it our time on earth or do we include our eternal destination?

The three major religions all acknowledge God, the creator of the universe as “the most High, the Almighty” and encourage allegiance to Him and obedience to His will, because “His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts”.

They also acknowledge that this life is only part of a journey, a test, where we will have to make choices that will determine our eternal destination — heaven or hell.

My point is simply this — while on the face of it, euthanasia would seem to be a good option in certain circumstances, we should not lose sight of the fact that God is the higher power and He demands prior consideration and obedience to His commands, and that the scriptures make it clear that the pre-eminent goal of us all is to ensure that our final destination is heaven. There, God rewards all our sacrifices, trials and sufferings by allowing us to spend eternity in perfect peace, joy and happiness, without pain or suffering.

In the end, I guess it is simply a matter of faith — trusting that God loves us and has a reason beyond our understanding or comprehension.

Bryan Speight
Bothas Hill, South Africa

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