Euthanasia campaigners in Australia were condemned today for helping a 69-year-old grandmother commit suicide, with reports saying she had not been suffering from cancer at the time she took her life.
Ms Nancy Crick took a fatal dose of barbiturates in the company of 21 of her family and friends at her home on Queensland's Gold Coast on Wednesday, reigniting Australia's debate over the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia.
But the Sydney Daily Telegraphsaid today a pathologist had reported he could find no visual trace of cancer in Crick's body although there was evidence of previous bouts of cancer.
At least three more terminally-ill Australians said yesterday they were prepared to follow the lead of Crick and take their own lives publicly to support legalised euthanasia.
Euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke said the pain Crick was suffering and her fragile condition still justified her taking her life if she wanted to.
Right to Life Australia vice president John James said the revelation Crick might not have had cancer exposed the flaws in the argument of the euthanasia lobby.
Dr James said supporters of euthanasia and assisted suicide should be ashamed of their support for Crick in the wake of the revelation.
The Netherlands last month became the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia, followed last week by Belgium.
AFP