According to maltaStar.com, Italian Doctor Mario Riccio switched off the life support of his patient Piergorgio Welby in order to allow him to die peacefully. Welby was suffering from muscular dystrophy and was unable to move his body. At this point, he was reduced to communicating by blinking his eyelids. Welby asked authorities to be euthanized, a process which is illegal in Italy and much of the world, but was denied. He even went as far as writing a letter to the President of Italy. His efforts, however, were futile.

According to the article:

Even though the plea was turned down, Dr Riccio might have found a legal loophole that permitted him and his staff to allow Welby to die, even though the doctor rejects it was a case of euthanasia.

“In Italian hospitals therapies are suspended all the time, and this does not lead to any intervention from magistrates or to problems of conscience,” Dr Riccio told reporters, following Mr Welby’s death late on Wednesday.

“This must not be mistaken for euthanasia. It is a suspension of therapies,” he told a news conference in Rome. “Refusing treatment is a right.”

Let me reiterate that last statement. Dr. Riccio said, “Refusing treatment is a right.” While I agree with this statement, is it not true that someone’s right to do what they want with their life more important. Yes, the doctor has the right to refuse treatment to whoever he wants, but he also has the right to perform any service that he wants. If there is someone who wants to be euthanized and the doctor is willing to perform this service, then what business does the government have meddling in the affairs? Laws that prohibit people from doing what they want with their life, even if that means ending it, are wrong and need to be abolished. I never understood why eutanasia was illegal in the first place. I guess it is just another case of legislating morality.

Welby’s death has stirred up some controversy and some groups are hoping to bring legal charges against Dr. Riccio. If he is found guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison.