Canadian Court Continues To Hear Testimony In Euthanasia Request Case

Here's the latest from yesterday's proceeding at the euthanasia request case in Canada.

Desire to control future spurs assisted suicide requests, court hears

A desire to control their future, not depression or fear of pain, is the main reason people seek physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia, the Supreme Court of British Columbia has heard in a right-to-die case.

Helene Starks, an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told court that a groundbreaking study she was involved in showed that terminally ill patients sought the right to die only after long periods of reflection - and that they were primarily driven by a desire for control over the place, process and timing of death. more