Concord, NH — The state of New Hampshire will not pay a controversial
bioethicist's $2,000 fee to give the keynote speech at a conference on
disabilities.
The Executive Council voted Wednesday to allow the Governor's Commission
on Disability to hold its fall conference Oct. 4, but blocked paying
Princeton professor Peter Singer's fee with state money.
Councilors Peter Spaulding of Hopkinton, Thomas Colantuono of Manchester and David Wheeler of Milford objected to Singer's view in favor of
assisted suicide.
Singer also has drawn widepsread criticism from pro-life organziations
because he believes parents should be able to euthanize severely disabled
infants who are less than a month old.
Michael Jenkins, the commission's executive director, invited Singer to
the conference. National and local disabilities rights groups protested
the planned visit, but Jenkins said the conference will call attention to
the absurdity of Singer's views.
The commission sought permission to spend $8,000 on the conference.
Jenkins said it planned to pay Singer out of proceeds from conference
tickets, not state money.
After the council's action, Jenkins said the Boston-based non-profit
Adaptive Environment might be willing to shoulder the expenses.
Spaulding was not convinced Singer's appearance would be beneficial.
Jenkins says he abhors Singer's views, but the majority of the disabled
community support his decision to let him speak. He argued the disabled
should have an opportunity to confront Singer.
“Whether we agree or disagree, he is raising questions that need to be
asked and answered,” Jenkins said.
Gov. Jeanne Shaheen said she, too, abhors Singer's views, but was
disappointed with the council's decision to not allow debate over the
issue.
(This article courtesy of the Pro-Life Infonet email newsletter. For more information or to subscribe go to www.prolifeinfo.org or email infonet@prolifeinfo.org.)
