KILLING DISABLED CHILDREN

Killing newborn disabled children
New Hampshire Won't Pay Peter Singer for Speech
Associated Press; September 20, 2001

New Hampshire Won't Pay Peter Singer for Speech

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 widespread criticism from pro-life organizations 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.