Patient’s wishes in dying matter most

Re. “Dying naturally allows terminal patients time,” Opinion, Nov. 7

Dr. Luke Savage makes several egregious errors. First, he conflates euthanasia with medical assistance in dying. But he does that to begin an emotional, not rational, appeal.

Then he writes that we are starting to hear stories about people who may have been pressured into it. That doesn’t even rise to the level of anecdotal evidence, just a completely unsubstantiated rumour.

I can obviously not support any coercion for assistance in dying any more than I can support the great number of Alberta facilities which coerce individuals into maintaining a painful, devastating “life.” Dr. Savage then undermines his entire argument by saying, in effect, it’s all a media-inspired conspiracy to conceal those rumours.

His patient, Ann, with terminal cancer, has chosen to maintain her life as is best supported by medical care. I have total respect for her choice, as I would hope she can respect my choice, different from hers.

If Dr. Savage considers Ann’s death “what a good death looks like,” I doubt he’s seen many deaths, including those which are maintained long after the individual wishes. And that’s the most important thing he ignores — the wishes and choices of the individual.

Les Thompson, Edmonton