A GP from Penmaenmawr, Gwynedd who was previously cleared of murdering 3 patients in 2005, may face further charges after confessing to speeding up the deaths of two further patients by prescribing fatally high doses of diamorphine – a drug that combines with the opioid receptors in the brain to block the transmission of pain signals to relieve the effects of pain.
Howard Martin, aged 75, defended himself by saying to the Telegraph ‘I believe I’m a normal, caring practitioner.’ he also justified his actions to the Guardian stating that; ‘I only acted out of “Christian compassion” and was merely trying to limit their suffering rather than “playing God”.’
Families of the victims have become outraged by the situation, particularly Paul Gittins, son of Harry Gittins -a victim of the overdose- after hearing that his father would have recovered without the prescription. Martin had also lied to the family over the reality of his Harry’s illness. It was in fact not as dangerous as they had been led to believe. The family wishes to reopen the trial and investigate further into the murders.
Euthanasia was ruled illegal in Britain after the 1961 Suicide Act was passed and the ‘Assisted dying for the terminally ill’ bill was rejected by the House of Commons in 2004 (but worryingly over two-thirds of Britons want euthanasia legalised). However, in 1957, a court case ruled that ‘causing death through the administration of lethal drugs to a patient, if the intention is solely to alleviate pain, is not considered murder even if death is a potential or even likely outcome.’
This undermines a key value that one of the most important roles of a moral government is to protect human life and avoid potential harm or destruction. It was in fact this ruling that allowed for Martin’s release in 2005.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of Christian Concern For Our Nation said ‘There is a natural time for death and we as humans cannot possibly play God in this situation. It is not in our power to decide when death occurs and neither it is acceptable to cause or hasten the death of a fellow human being.’
‘A doctor’s job is to care not to kill and allowing Martin’s actions to go unpunished will inevitably contribute to a rise in similar behaviour from other doctors.’