The results were part of a report composed in response to a petition presented to the government in June 2015 by past Minister of Parliament Maryan Street.

That petition, which had 8,974 signatures, requested "that the House of Representatives investigate fully public attitudes towards the introduction of legislation which would permit medically-assisted dying in the event of a terminal illness or an irreversible condition which makes life unbearable."

In order to fulfil the request of the petition, a Health Committee was established to investigate assisted death in New Zealand. The Committee began receiving written submissions from the public in August 2015.

More than 21,000 people—including medical professionals and organizations—made a written submission. Eighty percent were opposed to assisted suicide and/or euthanasia legislation.

Opposition was largely based on concerns about vulnerable people, especially the elderly, disabled and those with mental illnesses.

The Committee also noted that some "argued that life has an innate value and that introducing assisted dying and euthanasia would explicitly undermine that idea."

Widening access to larger groups of people over time was also a concern.

Submissions made in favor of changing the law to allow for assisted suicide and euthanasia often cited the right to individual autonomy. Those who held this view believe they should have the choice to end their life when they wish.

Those in favor of assisted suicide and/or euthanasia also mentioned fear of pain or watching a loved one suffer a painful death as a reason for support.

Loss of dignity was referred to by those who favor a change in legislation. According to the report, "dignity was acknowledged as being specific to each person, so it was up to each individual to define what dignity meant for them."

While the Health Committee report does not offer a final recommendation to the government on assisted suicide or euthanasia, it did give specific recommendations regarding palliative care...

Continue reading here.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Long Beach, California Cancels Their Popular July 4th Fireworks Show, Even for America's 250th Birthday, Citing Pollution as the Reason

Digital Nightmare? Anthropic Withholds AI Model Too Dangerous for Humanity

'A Victory for All Pro-Life Oregonians': Federal Judge Rules State Can't Force Oregon Right to Life to Pay for Abortions

10 Republicans Side With Dems to Provide Amnesty to Haitian Illegals

Virginia Dems Pass National Popular Vote Law that Experts Warn Is Unconstitutional

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Begins; Trump Says Iran's Regime Agrees to Give Up Having Nuclear Weapons

President Trump: Strait of Hormuz 'Fully Open', Oil Prices Drop

Clarence Thomas Destroys 'Progressivism' in Ruthless Speech

Trump Reveals He Has Multi-Pick SCOTUS Plan Ready as Justice Retirement Speculation Heats Up

Trump Admin Pushes Global Plan to Protect Kids Online

Youth Mental Health Deteriorates after Gender Reassignment Services, Extensive, Long-Term Study Finds

Trump Administration Pulls $11 Million in Funding for Catholic Charities that Sheltered Illegal Alien Minors

Prayer Alert: Former Democrat Lt. Gov. and Wife Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide; Kids Were Home at the Time

Israeli Forces Discover Huge Hezbollah Weapons Cache Inside School; Destroy 70 Hezbollah Terror Sites in Lebanon

US War on Iran's Regime Could Be Ending Soon; Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon Announced

Melania Trump Joins Lawmakers for Roundtable Discussion on Empowering Foster Care Children

Heroic Oklahoma High School Principal Shot in the Leg as He Tackles Would-Be Shooter Before Gunman Opens Fire on Students (VIDEO)

Teachers' Union Webinar Sparks Indoctrination Fears

'Deadnaming' Is Now Classified as 'Gender-Based Violence' in Liberal Canada

The War on Biology Is Far from Over