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Christian advocacy group FamilyVoice Australia has told the WA parliamentary inquiry into end of life choices that doctors must continue to serve only as protectors of life.
In a written submission to the End of Life Choices inquiry, FamilyVoice Australia said medical practitioners historically took the Hippocratic Oath, which forbids euthanasia.
“That promise has shaped medical ethics since ancient times,” said FamilyVoice National Director Ashley Saunders.
“Then after the horrendous abuse by Nazi medical personnel, the Declaration of Geneva enabled doctors to pledge utmost respect for human life from birth to natural death,” he said.
“It was followed by the International Code of Medical Ethics which required doctors to preserve human life.”
In 2015, the World Medical Association reaffirmed the 1992 Statement of Marbella that labelled euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide as unethical, the FamilyVoice submission explained.
“Then after a comprehensive policy review, the Australian Medical Association last year resolved to maintain its opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, because doctors should not seek to end human life,” Mr Saunders noted.
“We urge state MPs to heed the wise counsel of Australian, international and historic experts in medical ethics and give no approval of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.”