A Time to Live: The case against euthanasia and assisted suicide

A well-informed presentation of the case against assisted suicide, with reference to politics, society and medicine. This book addresses the the foundational imperative that cherishes life under all circumstances. This is about the choice of the kind of world we want to live in - a Christian heritage which is likely to be squandered. George Pitcher reaffirms the view that death is part of life: there is a long tradition of the acceptance of suffering. By contrast, the modern alternative - right to die becomes duty to die - looks utilitarian, the culling of the weak. There are worrying implications for the provision of care. We are being asked to consider the economics of suicide. Despite recent advances in palliative care there is a sad lack of investment, made worse by this callous approach. In Oregon and Holland, where euthanasia is licensed, there has been a marked fall in palliative care. George Pitcher concludes with a strong celebration of life, in which death plays its part. He argues that this approach empowers medical staff and leads to the regeneration of pastoral care.

About the Author :
The Revd George Pitcher, an Anglican minister, is Religion Editor of Telegraph Media, and a prolific journalist. He has been Industrial Editor of The Observer and co-founded the communications consultancy Luther Pendragon.

Review :
“This is perhaps the most important book on the subject of `assisted dying’ that we have yet seen. It combines unmistakeable realism and compassion with acute moral argument and an unsparing analysis of the very disturbing record of various attempts in other countries to control the effects of legislating for physician-assisted death. An absolutely essential read for all concerned with what is probably the sharpest moral and legal question of our time.” – The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury George Pitcher’s book is such a timely and helpful contribution to the debate. He charts accurately the rise of the individualistic culture that lies at the root of calls for `assisted dying’ and he exposes eloquently the reality rather than the spin of what has been happening in the American State of Oregon, so beloved of British would-be reformers, as well as Holland. He then proceeds to give a much-needed exposition of how euthanasia law has developed and how it works in Britain today, concluding with the revised prosecution policy that has recently appeared from the Crown Prosecution Service – a policy whose robustness must have come as a serious disappointment to the euthanasia lobby. Mr Pitcher then turns to the medical scene, rebutting the facile argument that, if we can put down our pets when they are ill, we should do the same for our fellow humans. He exposes the intriguing paradox that campaigning for euthanasia and assisted suicide has increased almost in parallel with modern medicine’s ability to relieve suffering and questions why `assisted dying’, if it ever it were to be legalised, has to be part of health care. It is an excellent book and I hope it will be widely read by everyone who has an interest in this subject. Professor the Baroness Finlay of Llandaff FRCP, FRCGP. Robust and polemical … a journalist working at his best. Eloquently dismisses the need for legislation enacting assisted suicide. He examines thoroughly the legal arguments and examines with full documentation the situation in other countries, notably Holland and Switzerland.