LEADING AUS SDB BIOETHICIST JOINS DEBATE ON FRAIL
AND ELDERLY
(Dr. N. Ford sdb at Toronto Bioethics
Colloquium)
TORONTO: 8th August --
Do individuals, societies, and indeed the international
community, have a moral obligation to improve life for the elderly and to
enhance care of the dying? Over 50
representatives of Catholic bioethics centres in North and South America,
Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia who gathered in Toronto responded with a
resounding ‘yes’. In a General
Consensus Statement approved at the end of the Colloquium, participants declared
that, “the world community has responsibility for the protection and promotion
of human life in its biological, intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual
dimensions.” This implies that
bioethicists ought to address the problems of material, social, and spiritual
poverty of the elderly and the dying in their local community, and also the
allocation of health resources globally.
Dr. Norman Ford, the only Salesian representative at
the Colloquium, renowned for his philosophico-moral contributions to the more
delicate issues of life in its beginnings, has joined the intense and difficult
moral reflection now being addressed on behalf of the drail and elderly.
Ford is one of those who recognizes the need for further critical reflection on
such issues as artificial nutrition and hydration for people deccalred
irreversibly comatose, and the decision-making that must take place on behalf of
patients found incapable of making decisions regarding treatment and
care.
Of particular interest to the public generally, are
consensus statements formulated by the Conference concerning Globalization,
Catholic Social Justice, and matters arising therefrom concerning the frail and
elderly and the dying. These latter statements are available on www.bosconet.aust.com/toronto.htm
The
Toronto Bioethics Colloquium took place from July 27th - August 3rd. It's
topic:
Globalization
and the Culture of Life:Care of the Frail Elderly and the Dying
For further information contact nford@mercy.com.au
