A study has been published promoting euthanasia in Canada by showing that it would save government money.
Depending on the number of patients killed by euthanasia, the Canadian healthcare system could save between 34.7 and 138.8 million dollars per year, the study published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found.
It raises serious concerns about the social pressure put on vulnerable people who may consequently believe that they are a 'burden' to society.
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, said that this "demonstrates why it is so vital to resist any attempt to introduce assisted suicide or euthanasia in the UK."
Based on Netherlands study
In Canada, euthanasia is legal.
The study, titled 'Cost analysis of medical assistance in dying', was based on a similar study carried out in the Netherlands. That study estimated the number weeks that lives were shortened by killing patients by euthanasia, multiplied by the average cost of care for a person nearing death. This number was then multiplied by the likely number of euthanasia deaths in Canada.
The cost of the euthanasia procedure and potential palliative care costs were also considered.
'Creates pressure'
The researchers concluded: "If Canadians adopt medical assistance in dying in a manner and extent similar to those of the Netherlands and Belgium, we can expect a reduction in health care spending in the range of tens of millions of dollars per year."
Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition warned that this study will encourage patients to choose euthanasia.
"Firstly: Associating euthanasia with medical cost savings creates a belief that euthanasia is a social good. People who feel that their life has lost value may now consider it altruistic to 'choose' to die by euthanasia," he explained.
"Secondly: Associating euthanasia with medical savings creates pressure for people who choose to live until they die."
'Less demand for palliative care'
Alex Schadenberg concludes: "The authors of this study suggest that the financial savings gained from premature deaths by euthanasia could be re-invested into palliative care. The authors of this study are naive. The more that people die prematurely by lethal injection, the less demand will exist for palliative care.
"Dead people don't need palliative care."
'Should be a warning to us'
Andrea Williams commented said that the study shows the importance of protecting the vulnerable.
"Legalising euthanasia in Canada has opened the door to the vulnerable now being herded into choosing euthanasia, because they are made to feel that they are a burden on society," she said.
"It is tragic that medical researchers would deem patients too 'expensive' to continue taking care of. This should be a warning to us here in the UK. It demonstrates why it is so vital to fight for life, and resist any attempt to introduce assisted suicide or euthanasia in the UK."
Related Links:
Cost analysis of medical assistance in dying in Canada (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
Awful Study Says Euthanizing More Patients Will Save the Government Money (LifeNews)
Study: Legalizing euthanasia saves money (Alex Schadenberg)