Some participants received continuing education credit from co-sponsoring institutions. Nancy Valko , President of Missouri Nurses for Life and one of the conference organizers, has been an outspoken and articulate commentator on issues of euthanasia and care of the seriously ill. Pro-lifers have charged that basic care is being denied him, including routine antibiotics and even such basic care as washing. The Slippery Slope from Assisted Suicide to Legalized Murder . Jean Brontoli , R.N., Director of Medical Oncology at SSM-St.
Most observers agree that doctors are undertrained in pain management techniques.
Pro-lifers have long argued that better pain management would reduce anxiety among dying patients, and the perceived need for assisted suicide. In his view, giving a person you can trust your durable power of attorney is more important than whatever your advance directive says. The document itself will often not be read. The Texas legislature gave legal status to futility guidelines last year. Marcia Buterin , a nurse, pro-life veteran and chairman of the conference committee, remarked that many of the participants had their eyes opened by the talks.