This seems to be the time to take a deeper look at issues of life and death and how they have bearing on every human being whether we like it or not.
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With the Parliamentary debate on abortion proceeding to another stage, and more parts of Australia trying to legalise euthanasia, we need to make sure we have our facts straight and not just allow ourselves to be swayed by the latest opinion being propagated.
It amazes me that most of the debate about abortion centres on the woman and her needs.
So far there's been little debate taking into account the rights of the baby in her womb, and the man who is its father, not to mention the circumstances in which conception occurred.
Some doctors have spoken out about their concerns with legalising abortion, and the conflict it raises with their Hippocratic Oath.
They have also itemised the developing features they have observed in babies in the womb.
Usage of the word foetus seems to disguise the fact that this is a process of bringing a human being to life, and not just a procedure that can be taken or left aside at will.
Human gestation takes time, and many indications of developing life can be observed by the medical staff at lots of stages along the way.
Rather than concentrating our attention on the way to legalise and stop the baby coming to birth, perhaps we should take a better look at the 21st century attitudes to sex and sexual activity which encourages people to engage in consensual behaviour without taking into account what the outcome could be.
Of course, rape and non-consensual intercourse add another muddy dimension to the legal, moral and ethical dilemma.
In St Paul's letter to the Romans there is a phrase that seems very appropriate just now.
He says "the life and death of each of us has its influence on others."
This can be very true among people suffering abortions as well as those facing death through illness.
It is many years since Australia abolished the death penalty for serious criminals ... it seems to be a contradiction in terms to legalise intervention with terminal consequences either at the beginning or at the end of life.
- Sister Mary Trainor
When Palliative Care is properly and professionally carried out with our loved ones on the point of death, there is no need to fear excruciating pain and prolonged agony.
Unfortunately, too many people seem to believe that euthanasia - assisted suicide - will solve all the problems both for the patient and the extended family.
Experience has shown that it is not such a simple matter.
Here in Orange we are truly blessed with a four bed palliative care facility at Parkwood.
People are finding this service at Parkwood meets the needs of both the patients and their families, and removes the need to take a person's life in order to alleviate their suffering.
Doctors and qualified nurses are able to monitor the patients needs and administer relief as required on their journey into eternity.
It is many years since Australia abolished the death penalty for serious criminals.
It seems to be a contradiction in terms to legalise intervention with terminal consequences either at the beginning or at the end of life.
There has to be a better way to address these issues than to inflict lifelong regrets on the minds and hearts of people who took these decisions without understanding the full consequences of their decision.
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