Euthanasia Is Now The Cause Of 1 In 20 Deaths In Canada

Most recipients, 96%, were older adults with a median age of 77

This photograph shows the Sarco suicide capsule, a potential tool in euthanasia, in Zurich on July 17, 2024. The 3-D printed coffin-like Sarco suicide machine, can be activated from the inside by the person intending to die, by filling the capsule with nitrogen, which induces hypoxic death to the occupant. ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images

An annual report by the Canadian government showed that deaths by euthanasia have steadily grown since it became legal.

Since the establishment of Canada’s Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) law in 2016, more than 60,000 people have used euthanasia to die.

Euthanasia accounted for 15,343 deaths in 2023 or 4.7% or about 1 in 20 of all deaths in the country.

According to a 2023 annual report on medical assistance in dying, assisted dying cases grew more than 15% last year but the growth in increases of euthanasia cases is slowing.

Health officials are not sure if that means cases are leveling out to a more predictable yearly average.

Most recipients were older adults, with a median age of 77. Most also had terminal illnesses, such as cancer, though 4% were granted euthanasia for chronic conditions without imminent death.

Ethnic data revealed that 96% who chose to die were white, despite whites only comprising 70% of the population. Asians made up 1.8 percent of euthanasia victims.

This year is the first time the annual report has released information about recipients’ ethnicity.

Source : https://www.ibtimes.com/euthanasia-deaths-canada-1-20-3755206