Thursday, November 17, 1977
5.
Staff Writer
Prof supports 'euthanasia' bill
By NANCY DRESSLER
A bill that would legalize what a University of Kansas professor calls "passive euthanasia" is being considered by an interim committee of state legislators who may recommend it to the 1978 session of the Kansas Legislature.
Robert P. Hudson, chairman of the history of medicine library at the KU Medical Center, appeared before the trial last month in Topeka in support of the bill.
Hudson said this week that the bill would make it legal for a doctor to withhold life-sustaining measures in the treatment of ill patients upon a patient's request.
This emphasis on withholding measures that would prolong life makes the bill an endorsement of "passive euthanasia," Hudson said.
"It is euthanasia, which means an easy death," Hudson said. "And that's what I wish for."
He said too many people would confuse the bill with active euthanasia—the taking of positive steps, such as ending life-investing measures, with the result being death.
"PEOPLE THINK of euthanasia as only mercy, killing but that's not what this bill is about."
Hudson said the bill would recognize the sight of an individual to decide whether either he or she would be charged.
Gordon's SHOE CENTER
called that concept the "living will," which has always been considered morally binding cases.
The subject of euthanasia and whether life-prolonging measures are legal was brought to national attention with the case of Karen Ann Quinn, who slipped into a coma in April 1975. Doctors said a respirator had been attached that kept her alive. Her father filed a five months later in a New Jersey court asking that the machine be disconnected.
The Quinlan case raised the legal question of who had the right to decide whether a person it should be prolonged after it had been delayed that such efforts only delayed death.
Hudson said public pressures for a bill that would decide whether life-sustaining measures should be used originated outside the medical profession.
He added that changing attitudes and increased national awareness of the subject of euthanasia would make the need for such a bill unnecessary in 10 to 15 years.
EIGHT STATES NOW have laws similar to the one being considered for Kansas, he said.
STATE SEN. Wint Winter, R-Ottawa, and one of the bill's authors, said the written statement was a directive and would be similar in format to a will. The directive would be given to the patient's doctor and people who would be most likely to be nearby during his illness, which in most cases would be family members.
The bill defines life-sustaining measures as those that "utilize mechanical or other artificial means to sustain, restore, or repair the body." The bill also applied to a qualified patient, would serve only to artificially prolong the moment of death and where, in the judgment of the attending physician, death is imminent or not such procedures are utilized."
The directive would expire each five years, at which time a person who still wished to withhold life-sustaining measures would have to submit a new one. This clause
The bill was written during the 1977 legislative session. It would authorize a person who was found by at least two doctors to be terminally ill to issue a written statement directing that heroic life-sustaining measures not be used.
DAAGWUD'S STUDENT NIGHT
EVERY THURSDAY FROM
5 p.m. till 1:30 a.m. ... % PRICE
SUBS WITH CURRENT K.ULD,
or any student LD.
of the bill allows a person to change his mind, Winter said.
7th & MASS.
OPEN LATE 841-5635
EVERY NIGHT
In his testimony before the legislative committee, Hudson said the hill's greatest weakness was its attempt to apply precise language to an imprecise problem.
BOGARTS
"The dying process is never the same. When the law tries to get specific, it becomes illogical."
K.U. vs. M.U.
SPECIAL
COUPON
50° Off
Pitchers
good thurs., fri., sat.—nov. 17, 18, 19
the progressive leaders.
--or
Hudson said the bill would not actually change current practices but would give doctors more security against charges of life-sustaining measures as respirators.
Heatwave, the group that's burning up the radio right now with the disco dynamite of "Boogie Nights," has an album called "Too Hot to Hate" featuring the ht single and more of the same.
Our Regular Price 4.97 Albums
NOW 424 ALBUMS
PE 34891. Containing the smash hit "Rollin" With the Flow"; this new release showcases the many talents of the Silver Fox at his peak.
J3 19299 Travel with Kansas to a "Point of Know Return" - a limitless rock and roll experience that only Kansas can show you.
HOWEVER, HE SAID some doctors probably would oppose it because they were not trained to treat it.
Our Regular Price 5.97 Albums
Winter said he would not designate the bill's provisions as euthanasia.
"Euthanasia is the destruction of people determined to be no longer of use to determine"
NOW 488
ALBUMS
Our Regular Price 6.67 Tapes
JC 34860 The latest release in the Platinum history of America's most popular group.
NOW 517 TAPES
GIBSON'S Discount Center
2525 IOWA LAWRENCE, KANSAS
(Sale includes all of our Regular Priced 4.97 & 5.97 Albums—and Regular 6.67 Tapes
PRICES GOOD NOW THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 20, 1977
QUICK STOP
PHOTO SHOP
MUISS STREET DELI
"Hot"
Smoked Sausage
"Mild"
Smoke Sausage
1$^00
Reg Price $1.55 offer expires 11/30
Women's meeting nears
Two delegates from the University of Kansas will attend the International Woman's Conference this weekend in Houston.
Marilyn Kent, Lawrence graduate student, and Ann Gottberg, Salma senior, were elected at a Kansas statewide
women's conference in Wichita last July to attend the international conference in Houston.
The conference will be held by the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year.
Enter The House of Catkay
The Catherine Restaurant
Lunch 11:00 2:00
Carry out service available
Dinner 2:00 10:00
The California Institute for the Arts (californiaclassic.org) is a museum located in the old "Milwaukee" home of the California Art Center. It is devoted to the study and exhibition of modern and contemporary art, offering visitors an immersive experience with artists from diverse genres and time periods.
Lunch 11:00 12:00
Carry on and leave available in the new wardrobe.
Inside: 847-474
Save time and money! Let us help you select the money-saving pre-arranged ski vacation to suit your life style and your budget. Ask us about lodging. lift tickets, ski rentals, instruction, snow conditions, etc. and reserve now for a great ski vacation!
SUA Maupintour
Phone 843-1211
Visit Kansas Union Lobby
Hrs. 9:30-5:00 ... your vacation planners!
pintour travel service
Thursday, Friday—Nov. 17, 18
6:30 p.m. "Jayhawk College Quiz Bowl," contest between living groups. Elimination contests nightly; final rounds Friday. Kansas Union.
Saturday, November 19
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. pre-game reception for "K.U. Alumni Appreciation Day," level 4, Union. 1:30 p.m. KU-MU football game. Presentation HOPE award at halftime.
6:30 p.m. Higher Education Banquet. Featured Speaker, Glee Smith, past chairman of Kansas Board of Regents. Presentation of Higher Education Leadership Award, Higher Education Service Awards, Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Award. Kansas Union Ballroom.
PAID FOR BY STUDENT ACTIVITY FEES