The Moral Problem of Euthanasia: Opinions from Canada's Weak People.

Canada's law allowing euthanasia is one of the most permissive in the world, leading to some difficult ethical questions for doctors and nurses. Some people who are not dying are requesting euthanasia because of poverty, lack of housing, or loneliness.

Data suggests that many people choosing euthanasia for pain relief, but not imminent death, live in poor areas. This raises concerns that vulnerable people are choosing euthanasia due to lack of support, not just medical reasons.

Doctors and nurses have private online forums to discuss difficult euthanasia cases. Some shared messages show discomfort with ending the lives of people who might be helped with better care.

Examples include a worker injured on the job who couldn't afford to live and a homeless man who refused long-term care. These cases highlight the challenges of balancing patient autonomy with the need to protect vulnerable individuals.

Experts worry that the lack of transparency about these controversial cases hides a shift in who is accessing euthanasia. They argue that society needs to carefully monitor the use of euthanasia to ensure it is used appropriately.