When suffering and dealing with last few years of life, the last thing an elderly needs is a doctor encouraging them to go sooner than later. Already in countries such as Holland, euthanasia is legal at the doctor's direction - not the patient. The debate over euthanasia is a debate of dignity versus viability. Do we have an innate, God-given right to life, or do we depend on our contribution to society?

Along with a lifetime of medical achievements, Dr Obeid sits on the Federal Council of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine. His special interests are delirium, dementia, stroke and Parkinson's disease. he is passionate about improving the quality of care for older people and promoting the rights and dignity of the frail aged. He is married and lives in Sydney.