SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

Guernsey

On 26th September people on the Channel Isle of Guernsey initiated a policy on voluntary euthanasia, with The States of Deliberation voting 38 to 17 in favour of considering legislation. This was as a result of a Private Member's Bill brought by Deputy Pat Mellor in response to a campaign by islanders who consider they suffer under current prohibition. The size of the majority is quite unusual, but even more significant is the fact that members of the House were advised by the Board of Health and the Advisory and Finance Committee, that they should not vote for investigation of the proposal unless they were also prepared to vote in favour of changing the law.

Similar safeguards are proposed in other jurisdictions which have passed or are debating voluntary euthanasia legislation, including two medical opinions, assessment for depression or mental disorder, waiting periods and all other options explored. Evidence exists that doctor-assisted dying happens already 'behind closed doors' and without safeguards. Should legislation be passed, access to the law will only be available to Guernsey residents.

Based on an article 'Guernsey looks at euthanasia law' by Luke Gregoriadis in the Daily Telegraph 27th September 2002

Supporters of voluntary euthanasia in Florence have announced that they will launch a campaign in January 2003 to support proposed legislation that would decriminalise voluntary euthanasia. The proposed law would also offer the possibility for Italian patients to use advance directives, or living wills. Referred to as a "biological testament" in Italy, these are legal documents that dictate patient treatment preferences in the event of incapacitating illness.

A goal is to collect 50,000 signatures within 3 months, according to Giancarlo Fornari, president of the organization Librerauscita. The initiative follows a heated debate over a survey by Milan's Universita Cattolica in which doctors admitted to have practiced active and passive euthanasia.

The survey, which involved 225 doctors from 20 intensive care departments in Milan, showed that 3.6% of doctors admitted to have voluntarily administered lethal drugs, while 15.8% found the initiative acceptable. Almost 80% of doctors admitted to having practiced passive euthanasia, or halting treatment in a terminally ill patient, at least once.

Based on an article by Rosella Lorenzi of Reuters Newsagency (Health), Dec 20th 2002

OregonIn January 1995 after Oregon voters approved the Death With Dignity Act, the Centre for Ethics in Health Care convened the Task Force to Improve the Care of Terminally Ill Oregonians. The Task Force remains neutral on the issue of physician assisted suicide, having as its overall goal the promotion of excellent care of the dying. One of its tasks has been to develop professional standards related to the Death With Dignity Act. These standards will include the protection of patients' privacy.