Euthanasia today

From the Scotsman:

"DOCTORS broke the law to help nearly 3,000 patients die in a single year, according to new research which has reignited the debate on euthanasia."

I know a lot of people these days are in favour of voluntary euthanasia. It's not a view I share and I think even people who believe the choice of the individual should be sovereign would find some elements of this report disturbing:

"The survey, published in the journal Palliative Medicine, found a further 0.33 per cent - or 1,929 cases - would be described as "ending life without an explicit request from the patient" - a practice also known as non-voluntary euthanasia."

Or in layman's terms, 'killing people'. The Scotsman's website always has a 'key quote' at the top of it's pages. On this one:

"Key quote:'The illegal decisions are extremely rare compared with other countries. Three thousand sounds like a lot, but it's not.'"

Doc - um, yes it is; it sounds a lot because it is a lot. I know it makes me look terribly old-fashioned but this is not cool, people.