The story of Samuel Golubchuk, an 84-year-old whose family is fighting to keep him on life support at Winnipeg’s Grace Hospital, has garnered international media attention. The family argues that ending their father’s life support violates their Orthodox Jewish religious beliefs. Meanwhile, several doctors have resigned rather than continue to treat Golubchuk.
In a Winnipeg Free Press column, Carol Sanders notes that – ironically enough - Israel has enacted laws “regulating the treatment of of dying patients.”
Sanders details how this legislation – probably unique in the world – managed to become law in 2005, despite the fact that the ”issue of withdrawing mechanical ventilation at the end of life was particularly touchy for the democratic and Jewish state, torn between concepts of sanctity of life and respect for autonomy.”
Read “Israel bravely legislated end-of-life guidelines” here »
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