The Portuguese Association of Christian Nurses and Doctors (AEMC) has issued a statement expressing its “concern” about recent attempts to legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in Portugal.
The AEMC said it was “regrettable” that Portugal “intends to join the sad minority of countries in the world where euthanasia is legal”.
“Any legislative change that may allow doctors and nurses to intentionally end the lives of patients, even after the latter’s voluntary and repeated request, jeopardizes the mission and purpose of medicine and health sciences...”, the statement read.
“It will also inevitably lead to a deterioration of the doctor-patient relationship.”
This month, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed a second draft euthanasia and assisted suicide bill, after the first draft was blocked by the country’s Constitutional Court, as reported by SPUC.
It has also been argued that euthanasia and assisted suicide legislation violates Article 24 of the Portuguese Constitution, which affirms that “human life is inviolable”.
The AEMC said that such a law would also remove “the responsibility of the State and health services of taking care of the patient”.
“As Christians, we believe and defend that life is a gift from God and that every human being has value and dignity, from conception to natural death, whatever the circumstances”, the AEMC statement concluded.
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “Euthanasia and assisted suicide are an imminent threat to the principles of medicine around the world, as well as to millions of vulnerable persons who deserve care, not death.
“We must listen to the dedicated medical professionals who work every day with patients and know what they are talking about.
“Right now, SPUC is encouraging the public to stand up for the vulnerable and respond to the ongoing consultation on the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adult (Scotland) Bill.
“Information and assistance, including a SPUC briefing, on how to respond can be found here.
“Let us stand together and reject this dangerous bill.”
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