FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EUTHANIZING MEDICINE
April 14, 2010 (Toronto) – Salt + Light Television, Canada’s Catholic Network, takes a look at the identity of medicine and the issues that challenge it on the Wednesday, April 21st and Saturday, April 24th episodes of their flagship show, Catholic Focus.
The euthanasia (or the “right to die with dignity”) issue has been rearing its head in Canada for the past 20 years. The issue has already gone, unsuccessfully, before the Supreme Court of Canada. Bill C-384, introduced by Bloc Québécois MP Francine Lalonde to the Parliament of Canada, is the latest attempt. Even the Québec College of Physicians itself is calling for the legalization of euthanasia in Canada.
Close to 150 doctors in Québec felt strongly enough about the issue to present a brief before the Québec College of Physicians last fall, stating that they believe euthanasia is not acceptable in any circumstance. 15 medical students -- from Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, McGill University, Université Laval and the University of Ottawa -- all wrote a powerful piece that was published in the National Post on November 18th, 2009. In it, they say, “The human being is marked by a desire to be loved in spite of illness and misery. This need for an affirmation of intrinsic worth, despite vulnerability and dependence, cannot be satisfied by suicide, which is an expression of nihilism; as if at some point our humanity could have no value. We, future physicians, will be watchful never to intentionally kill those patients who will be entrusted to us. Rather we will be witnesses to their beauty.”
Join Mary Rose Bacani as she looks into the identity of the medical doctor and the impact that the legalization of euthanasia would have on it. Guests include Shannon Joseph, an engineer in Ottawa and Founder of Canadians for Care; Dr. Margaret Somerville, Director of the Centre for Medicine, Ethics & Law at McGill University; and medical doctors, medical students, and caregivers from Ottawa and Montreal.
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About Catholic Focus:
Catholic Focus is a current affairs program that examines in depth Catholic themes and personalities. You can watch Catholic Focus on Salt + Light Television daily at 7pm and 11pm with a morning repeat at 7:30am (all times Eastern).
About Salt + Light:
Established in 2003, the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, headquartered in Toronto, ON, Canada is dedicated to bringing our viewers current events and perspective of the Church into the home of Catholics and Christians around the world. From Vatican events to Salt + Light’s very own innovative and thought-provoking series and documentaries, the network offers multi-lingual programs that investigate, explain and celebrate issues related to the Catholic Faith.
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To arrange an interview with the producer, obtain a copy of the screener, or for any other further information - media contact:
CHRISTOPHER KETELAARS
Phone: 416-971-5353 ext 245
Mobile: 416-892-1729
cketelaars@saltandlighttv.org
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