Promoting “Pro Life” Interpretation of Advance Directives in Europe

Wesley J. Smith: The Council of Europe has passed a resolution promoting advanced directives in the EU. Some are claiming this as a victory against voluntary euthanasia. Perhaps. But, I like this part the most because it explicitly instructs that a dependent patient’s care is not to be determined by general community values–often anti elderly and disabled–and how, in cases of doubt, advance directives are to be interpreted:

7.8. surrogate decisions that rely on general value judgements present in society should not be admissible and, in case of doubt, the decision must always be pro-life and the prolongation of life. From “Protecting Human Rights and Dignity by Taking Into Account Previously Expressed Wishes of Patients:”