Guest Author • Oct 30, 2020 •
Jeanne Snelling, University of Otago and Andrew Geddis, University of Otago The preliminary results of New Zealand’s referendum on the End of Life Choice Act were conclusive. Some 65.2% of voters supported the law coming into force, while 33.8% opposed it. Although around 480,000 special votes are still to be counted, the margin is so great there is no chance … Read More
John Pickering • Sep 28, 2020 •
In a few weeks, New Zealanders will make a choice whether we implement into law the End of Life Choice Act 2019. My scientific expertise includes developing and validating methods to predict future events of ill people including death. There is one section of the Act that concerns me deeply. Section 5(1)c of the End of Life … Read More
Guest Author • Sep 18, 2020 •
Jacqui Maguire, registered clinical psychologist This podcast episode highlights how difficult it is to have effective conversations about euthanasia due to how polarised people’s views are. I’m a clinical psychologist, with a passion for science communication. In early 2020 I founded the podcast Mind Brew, with an aim to make psychological research accessible for New Zealanders to foster … Read More
Public Health Expert • Sep 09, 2020 •
Dr Ben Gray* This blog discusses what will be needed to operationalise the End of Life Choice Act in the event that it is approved at referendum. It argues that this will take significant resources. Judging by the experience in Oregon it is likely that this may only benefit a small number of older educated white people. The health … Read More
Jean Balchin • Mar 20, 2018 •
When I was a child, I was rather prone to misbehaving. On occasions when I was particularly naughty, my father would sit me down with a copy of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and would order me to rewrite four of my favourite entries. It wasn’t actually that bad a punishment; being rather childish and petulant, … Read More
Jean Balchin • Mar 09, 2018 •
In Tuesday’s post, we looked at the history of euthanasia legislation in New Zealand, and compared it with that of Canada and the Netherlands. Let us now examine the various reasons for the legalisation of euthanasia in New Zealand. (Before you ask, yes, we’ll be examining reasons against the legalisation of euthanasia, and issues with the End of Life Choices Bill in the next … Read More
Jean Balchin • Mar 06, 2018 •
I shall not abandon old age, if old age preserves me intact as regards the better part of myself; but if old age begins to shatter my mind, and to pull its various faculties to pieces, if it leaves me, not life, but only the breath of life, I shall rush out of a house that is crumbling and tottering. Read More
Jean Balchin • Feb 28, 2018 •
A recent Newshub Reid Research poll has revealed that the vast majority of New Zealanders support euthanasia. Written by Act New Zealand MP David Seymour, the End of Life Choices Bill has 71% of the country’s support, with 19.5% against it and 9.5% unsure. Under said Bill, a person wishing to end their own life must meet all … Read More
Guest Author • Mar 06, 2017 •
By Andrew McGee, Queensland University of Technology The Victorian Parliament will consider a bill to legalise euthanasia in the second half of 2017. That follows the South Australian Parliament’s decision to knock back a voluntary euthanasia bill late last year, and the issue has also cropped up in the run-up to the March 11 Western … Read More
Guest Author • Oct 15, 2013 •
Euthanasia, or physician assisted suicide is illegal in New Zealand, but that’s not the case in the Netherlands. In this Sciblogs Podcast, Lindsey Horne talks to Professor Aad Tibben, a physician from the Netherlands who helps Huntington’s Disease suffers with their end of life directives and we also get an update on the current situation as it … Read More