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The first nation to allow euthanasia is getting ready to release new guidelines that will expand the rules allowing doctors to end the life of terminally ill newborns. According to the Associated Press, "Under the protocol, euthanasia would be permissible when a child is terminally ill with no prospect of recovery and suffering great pain, when two sets of doctors agree the situation is hopeless, and when parents give their consent."

"The governing conservative Christian Democrat party—which fought legalization when it was in the opposition—will embrace the guidelines."

To prevent abuse, the government is establishing a commission to determine whether the criteria have been met in each situation. The commission will refer to prosecutors those cases that have not met the new guidelines.

"I admire the Dutch desire for openness in addressing what is an incredibly difficult issue, but I categorically do not endorse ending people's lives with the argument that it's alleviating their suffering," American ethicist and pediatrician Dr. Chris Feudtner of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia told the AP. Euthanasia is "prone to abuse" he said. "If you allow it to occur, it will occur in cases where it is not ethical, period."

In the U.S., Jack Kevorian yesterday told MSNBC that if paroled, "I will not perform that act again when I get out. What I'll do is what I should have done earlier, is pursue this from a legal standpoint by campaigning to get the laws changed."

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Schwarzenegger vetoes gay marriage bill:

• Schwarzenegger vetoes gay marriage bill | Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger followed through Thursday on his promise to veto a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, leaving the issue up to voters or judges who will likely face the volatile issue in the next year. (Associated Press)
• Schwarzenegger vetoes Calif. gay marriage bill | California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a widely expected move vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have allowed gay couples to marry. (Reuters)
• Schwarzenegger vetoes bill allowing same-sex marriage | California voters' 2000 decision cited (The Washington Post)
• Gov. vetoes same-sex marriage bill | Schwarzenegger rejects 52 bills, including ones to raise the minimum wage and give residents access to cheaper prescriptions in Canada. (Los Angeles Times)
• Schwarzenegger axes gay marriage | California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill passed by state legislators which would have allowed gay couples to marry. (BBC)
• Gay-nuptial foes hire Calif. consulting firm | Petition efforts raise eyebrows (The Boston Globe)

Conn. to offer civil unions this weekend:

• Conn. to offer civil unions on Oct. 1 | Connecticut joins Vermont on Saturday as the only states offering same-sex civil unions, but the day may pass with only a few raised glasses of champagne as the first gay couples exchange vows. (Associated Press)
• Legal battles loom in US gay marriage debate | Connecticut legalizes gay civil unions on Saturday, the latest U.S. state to grant legal rights to gay couples, but experts say legal and political battles loom elsewhere as other states confront the intensely divisive issue and consider similar laws. (Reuters)

Religion & homosexuality:

• HK govt challenges ruling on under 21 gay sex | The Hong Kong government on Friday appealed a court ruling last month that a law which prohibits sex between consenting males below 21 was a violation of human rights. (Reuters)
• Arizona group sues SLC over benefits | 'Imitation marriage': Second lawsuit says Rocky's executive order violates Utah law (Salt Lake Tribune)

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September (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49