Euthanasia as Medical Therapy in Canada.

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Public Health Policy
• End-of-Life Care

Background:

• Recent reports from an Ontario coroner's office MAiD Death Review Committee highlight concerns.
• Canada's euthanasia regime is under scrutiny for its application and implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how Canada's euthanasia (Medical Assistance in Dying - MAiD) regime has normalized ending life as therapy.
• To examine the prioritization of access to death over protection against premature death.

Main Methods:

• Commentary based on the author's experience as a member of the MAiD Death Review Committee.
• Illustrative case examples to demonstrate key arguments.

Main Results:

• The euthanasia regime appears to normalize ending life as a therapeutic option, even for indirectly health-related suffering.
• Access to death is often prioritized over protection against premature death.
• Basic capacity and informed consent procedures are sometimes used by undertrained professionals.

Conclusions:

• The current application of euthanasia in Canada raises significant ethical and practical concerns.
• There is a need for improved training and oversight in end-of-life care and MAiD procedures.