In Brief... World News Review: Floating Killing Clinics
"The request to die must be made voluntarily, independently, persistently and only after careful consideration by a patient judged to be of sound mind."
The Dutch government is currently debating euthanasia legislation. If a patient is "in continuous, unbearable and incurable suffering," if he or she is "aware of medical alternatives" and has "demanded a second professional opinion," the patient meets the criteria for legal euthanasia under the pending legislation. The bill says, "The request to die must be made voluntarily, independently, persistently and only after careful consideration by a patient judged to be of sound mind."
The law is expected to pass the Dutch upper house.
Philip Nitschke, a doctor and euthanasia campaigner, is poised to take advantage of the law as soon as it is passed. He plans to establish a floating euthanasia clinic in international waters off the coast of Australia. By purchasing a Dutch-registered ship, he can establish a legal clinic that circumvents Australian law, which prohibits euthanasia.
Does that seem strange? Another equally strange and disturbing development is a movement headed by Dutch doctor Rebecca Gomperts. Dr. Gomperts is currently raising funds to establish a floating abortion clinic that would operate in international waters off the coasts of nations whose laws forbid abortion. Given the volatile opposition to abortion, extensive measures are being pursued to secure the ship against sinking by abortion opponents.
It makes one wonder what comes next-perhaps a floating cloning clinic that will circumvent EU and U.S. laws, which forbid cloning humans?
Source: Guardian Unlimited
An Article from:
World News and Prophecy: May 2001
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Darris McNeely
Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.
Ken Martin
Kenneth Martin was a pastor for the United Church of God, who served as an elder in the Church of God for 55 years before his death in 2021 at the age of 81.
Ken graduated from Ambassador College (Big Sandy, Texas) in 1966 as student body president and valedictorian. He was ordained an elder in June 1966 by Herbert Armstrong, and served God’s people for the remainder of his years. In that time, he touched the lives of thousands of people and served in the following congregations: Dallas (Texas), Fort Wayne and South Bend (Indiana), Toledo and Findlay (Ohio), Birmingham and Jasper (Alabama), Atlanta, Carrolton, Macon and Columbus (Georgia). He also served the United Church of God as regional pastor for the Southeast region and served as chairman for the Prophecy Advisory Committee.
His joy was to serve those whom God is calling at this time to be the first fruits of God’s great plan of salvation via Jesus Christ… preaching repentance and the good news of the coming Kingdom of God!
