Research challenges euthanasia legislation plan by Quebec government

The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada released a new paper on Tuesday objecting to assisted suicide legalization, as the Quebec government will begin a provincial consultation on the legalization of euthanasia on Feb. 15.

Analyst Derek Miedema compiled a research that showed those who experience an accident resulting in spinal cord injury can rehabilitate and experience a self-defined high quality of life after the passage of time.

The research showed that early stages of accident recovery almost always included requests for death. However, these are almost always overcome by happiness at being alive. The legalization of assisted suicide, therefore, may in effect capitalize on a period of depression after an accident.

One study found, for example, that 92 percent of those who have suffered a spinal cord injury say they are glad to be alive.

The research observed that persons with a spinal cord injury who committed assisted suicide because of initial desire for death would die too soon to receive possible medical treatment and to regain the happiness of life.

This research has broader applicability, says Miedema. "We cannot impose our own understanding of a 'life worth living' onto any person with a disability. And any discussion of legalized assisted suicide should be aware of the long-term nature of injury recovery," he concludes.