government
Ballot questions opposed by state medical society
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 1, 2012
The Massachusetts Medical Society wants voters to reject several questions on the state’s November ballot that could authorize physician-assisted suicide and the use of medical marijuana.
“Patients deserve to know what we think and where we stand on these issues,” said Richard Aghababian, MD, the society’s president, in a statement. One of the ballot questions, which addresses prescribing medication to end a life, goes against the doctor’s role as a healer, he said.
The ballot question specifies that patients must have an incurable illness that likely would result in death within six months. Such predictions can be inaccurate, however, Dr. Aghababian said. In a position paper, the society said patients’ life spans can exceed expectations, sometimes by months or even years, and that assisted suicide “is not necessary to improve the quality of life at the end of life” due to pain relief alternatives.
The other ballot question would approve the use of marijuana by patients with certain medical conditions. The society countered that the effectiveness of using marijuana for medical purposes never has been scientifically tested and that there are health risks associated with using the drug. The society adopted policy at its annual meeting in May expressing opposition to the use of medical marijuana.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/10/01/gvbf1001.htm.
