A
Al Swearengen
[/COLOR]THE euthanasia group headed by "doctor death" Philip Nitschke, is appointing a travel agent to organise trips for Australians planning to end their lives overseas.
Twelve Australians have died at the Swiss Digitas euthanasia clinic, but three more - from Melbourne, Hobart and Darwin - are preparing to make the trip.
Dr Nitschke, director of Exit International, said the the Swiss clinic - the only such centre open to foreigners - was "meticulous" in the documents it required from the seriously ill, but most didn't have the health or time to organise the trip themselves.
"They need medical records to explain how sick they are, proof of residence, passports and certified extracts of birth certificates," Dr Nitschke said.
"People who are that ill, if they are thinking of making this journey, it's a lot of work and almost impossible for them. They also need supportive letters from family members."
The service will cost about $1000.
Melbourne's Jay Franklin is preparing to travel to Switzerland, despite knowing the drugs used could leave him more ill than he already is.
The 36-year-old lives in constant pain from a congenital bowel disease and has had more than 100 operations since he was eight days old.
But his doctors won't tell him if his damaged digestive system can fully absorb the barbiturate Nembutal or whether he will be left in a vegetative state.
"The hospital seems to be putting every conceivable obstacle in his way," Dr Nitschke said.
"It has to be explained to them that what he's doing is not illegal.
"It's quite legal to go to Switzerland.
"It's a long trip and they're extremely sick, so it's another clear reason why this issue needs to be dealt with in a more humane way."[/I]
Euthanasia's been an issue for decades. Periodically, it appears publicly and then disappears again. Its a tricky issue.
What are people's thoughts here on euthanasia?
Twelve Australians have died at the Swiss Digitas euthanasia clinic, but three more - from Melbourne, Hobart and Darwin - are preparing to make the trip.
Dr Nitschke, director of Exit International, said the the Swiss clinic - the only such centre open to foreigners - was "meticulous" in the documents it required from the seriously ill, but most didn't have the health or time to organise the trip themselves.
"They need medical records to explain how sick they are, proof of residence, passports and certified extracts of birth certificates," Dr Nitschke said.
"People who are that ill, if they are thinking of making this journey, it's a lot of work and almost impossible for them. They also need supportive letters from family members."
The service will cost about $1000.
Melbourne's Jay Franklin is preparing to travel to Switzerland, despite knowing the drugs used could leave him more ill than he already is.
The 36-year-old lives in constant pain from a congenital bowel disease and has had more than 100 operations since he was eight days old.
But his doctors won't tell him if his damaged digestive system can fully absorb the barbiturate Nembutal or whether he will be left in a vegetative state.
"The hospital seems to be putting every conceivable obstacle in his way," Dr Nitschke said.
"It has to be explained to them that what he's doing is not illegal.
"It's quite legal to go to Switzerland.
"It's a long trip and they're extremely sick, so it's another clear reason why this issue needs to be dealt with in a more humane way."[/I]
Euthanasia's been an issue for decades. Periodically, it appears publicly and then disappears again. Its a tricky issue.
What are people's thoughts here on euthanasia?
