US doctors reaffirm opposition to euthanasia

In the face of growing public and legal support for doctor assisted suicide, the American Medical Association has reaffirmed its adamant opposition to the practice.

The association's 430 member house of delegates gave a near unanimous vote against euthanasia during its annual meeting in Chicago last week. Members representing the various state and specialty medical societiesstated that doctors should be healers and not killers.

The association also said it would work to develop programmes to “facilitate referrals to physicians qualified to provide necessary palliative and other care for patients …