Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Euthanasia Doc Faces Medical Censure
UK physician and former head of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society Dr Michael Irwin was in the news last spring for his "Final Choice" holiday tour where the return trip is in a casket. Now he's being brought before the General Medical Council and may lose his medical license for his involvement in a plan to assist a friend's suicide.
A leading right-to-die campaigner, who agreed to help his friend commit suicide, had a "blatant disregard for the law", a hearing has been told.
Dr Michael Irwin, former head of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society and from Cranleigh, Surrey, is appearing before the General Medical Council.
Dr Irwin admits obtaining sleeping pills with the aim of helping a terminally ill friend to die.
He denies serious professional misconduct.
If the GMC finds him guilty, he could be struck off the medical register.
At 74, he admits he is too old to practise medicine, but says he is fighting the case to highlight his call for a change in the law.
The former UN medical director openly admits travelling to the Isle of Man in October 2003 with around 60 Temazepam sleeping pills to assist fellow campaigner Patrick Kneen to end his life.
Mr Kneen was too ill to take the medication and slipped into a coma, dying a few days later without Dr Irwin's assistance.
A leading right-to-die campaigner, who agreed to help his friend commit suicide, had a "blatant disregard for the law", a hearing has been told.
Dr Michael Irwin, former head of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society and from Cranleigh, Surrey, is appearing before the General Medical Council.
Dr Irwin admits obtaining sleeping pills with the aim of helping a terminally ill friend to die.
He denies serious professional misconduct.
If the GMC finds him guilty, he could be struck off the medical register.
At 74, he admits he is too old to practise medicine, but says he is fighting the case to highlight his call for a change in the law.
The former UN medical director openly admits travelling to the Isle of Man in October 2003 with around 60 Temazepam sleeping pills to assist fellow campaigner Patrick Kneen to end his life.
Mr Kneen was too ill to take the medication and slipped into a coma, dying a few days later without Dr Irwin's assistance.
papijoe 5:51 AM
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