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The situation is grave. The Mental Capacity Bill of April 05 provides for certain types of euthanasia. It was followed by Leslie Burke's Appeal. The judges declared that where the patient expressed the wish to be kept alive, stopping life-prolonging treatment would "leave the doctor with no answer to a charge of murder". But the Judgment handed down on 28 July 05 denied Leslie Burke the right to food and water when he becomes unable to communicate. His disease will progress until he loses the power to speak and swallow. He is then denied water and nutrition. The British Medical Association 30 June 05 voted to take a neutral position on the euthanasia issue. Lord Joffe's Assisted Dying Bill is in the offing. It is reported that responses to the British Medical Journal's recent articles on euthanasia have been 5-1 against it. Please be ready to respond to similar articles and news items. Mary Knowles
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