Assisted Suicide

[0iD]

In light of recent news coverage the debate over the legality and morality of assisted suicide has reared it's head again. Most people I know are for it, if done in a controlled and sympethetic manner, such as the Dignitas centre in Switzerland. Personally I think the law should be changed to allow such a place in the UK, offering those terminally ill, to die with dignity and at a time of their choosing.

[Lucio]

I'm not convinced that this is worth allowing, at the moment the law allows people to die by withdrawinging medical treatment (including feeding) and that's about it. It's a bit of a catch 22 really, you have to be sane to consent to be euthanised, but it's an insane wish to want to die? After all, how would bringing it into law help? Do you legislate for all the myriad of potential scenarios where someone might want to die? Do you rely on an "expert" who says it's ok whether or not someone can die? Who would want to be that "expert"?


It's too complex to be bought into law, and we're better off leaving it illegal.

[0iD]

But would you rather die slowly and uncomfortably from a debilitating illness, or choose to go when you still have some shred of dignity left?

[Funkstar]

It's too complex to be bought into law, and we're better off leaving it illegal.

If it's too complex, then how have Switzerland been able to do it?

I can understand that argument if we were the only country with this issue, but there is a precedent and I'm sure a lot to be learned from that.

Anyway, I don't think it is an insane wish to die before your quality of life hits virtually zero and you are way beyond being a financial and emotional burden on your friends, family and the heath service.

[Betty_Swallocks]

But would you rather die slowly and uncomfortably from a debilitating illness, or choose to go when you still have some shred of dignity left?

Or be starved and parched to death?

Given the choice of a nice painless injection or several days in agonising hunger and thirst I know which I would choose.

I don't understand why it is acceptable to withdraw feeding which results in a very unpleasant death drawn out over several days and not a humane release taking seconds.

We put our animals down to prevent them suffering. Are they more important than human beings?

It's just a copout on the part of the medics imo. They don't want to be the one to take the positive action to release someone from their suffering.

[pollaxe]

You should absolutely have the right to decide upon your own death if your quality of life has deteriorated to such an extent that you wish to end it. As long as the person is demonstrably compos mentis I don't see the problem.

How you could enshrine this in law is much trickier but then again, I'm not a legislator.

We don't let our animals suffer, why should we?

[teachmech]

To be able to choice to end your life before you have no option but a slow painfull decline where you are unable to do anything for yourslef and rely, always, for everything including hygiene on somebody else.

Yes please. Until you see this type of decline in someone you love you cannot know what it is like.

Dignity in death every time.

[handscombmp]

But would you rather die slowly and uncomfortably from a debilitating illness, or choose to go when you still have some shred of dignity left?

I think we should allow this. The swiss get on with it ok so why can't we. If i had some terrible disease that meant my last moths were going to be terrible i'd rather have a quick painless injection

[Andy3536]

As long as the person can think for themselves, there's no reason why it shouldn't be introduced.

When reading this you have to think, how would i want to die? I think it's an easy answer really.

[GoNz0]

As long as the person can think for themselves, there's no reason why it shouldn't be introduced.

When reading this you have to think, how would i want to die? I think it's an easy answer really.

suffocated by Kylie's breasts

[merdat]

Agree, it should be allowed in this country- law should be changed.

[pollaxe]

suffocated by Kylie's breasts

Monica Bellucci would probably give a quicker death (and with slightly warmer ears.)

[Amalie]

Hope it is not too late to comment on this one because it is a subject that I have never been able to make my mind up about.

It has always concerned me that someone with a terminal illness may feel "obligated" to request euthanisia if it were available and, of course, there is always the possibility of an elderly person being put under pressure because there is an inheritance involved and a danger that if the person lives the inheritance will be depleted to pay for the person's care. I heard on the radio last week that Lady ? (can't remember her name but she had the title "Lady") actually said it was the "duty" of a terminally ill person to die!

It also concerns me that with the shortage of NHS beds and cut-backs that if euthanisa were legal it would cease to be a "choice".

Adding to my doubts about this is that a friend of mine recently died from a brain tumour - she had lived for five years with the tumour and knew time was running out - many a time she said she just wanted to "end it all" but then she would rally and have some good days. she spent the last six months in a hospice where she was, as far as someone in that position could be, happy. She was well looked after and had the time to come to terms with what was happening, make her peace with the world and spend time with those she loved before, early one Sunday morning, she slipped away.

[Sinizter]

Assisted suicide should definitely be available ....

There are some arguments for and some against, but I personally would support it fully.

[Mrs Dak]

I heard on the radio last week that Lady ? (can't remember her name but she had the title "Lady") actually said it was the "duty" of a terminally ill person to die!

.

It was Baroness Warnock.

Linky for radio http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2008/09/dementia_1.shtml

Linky for telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ty-to-die.html

[Blitzen]

Hope it is not too late to comment on this one because it is a subject that I have never been able to make my mind up about.

It has always concerned me that someone with a terminal illness may feel "obligated" to request euthanisia if it were available and, of course, there is always the possibility of an elderly person being put under pressure because there is an inheritance involved and a danger that if the person lives the inheritance will be depleted to pay for the person's care. I heard on the radio last week that Lady ? (can't remember her name but she had the title "Lady") actually said it was the "duty" of a terminally ill person to die!

It also concerns me that with the shortage of NHS beds and cut-backs that if euthanisa were legal it would cease to be a "choice".

Adding to my doubts about this is that a friend of mine recently died from a brain tumour - she had lived for five years with the tumour and knew time was running out - many a time she said she just wanted to "end it all" but then she would rally and have some good days. she spent the last six months in a hospice where she was, as far as someone in that position could be, happy. She was well looked after and had the time to come to terms with what was happening, make her peace with the world and spend time with those she loved before, early one Sunday morning, she slipped away.

What a brilliant post...thanks
I absolutely agree.
There are times when a disease/illness gets a hold so badly there is no hope and someone should be allowed to chose their personal fate.
BUT
What if someone isn't prepared to go and they want to spend more time, in whatever state, with their family whilst they still can?
Would some people, although not ready to die, choose euthanasia to prevent themselves being a burden?
Would some people choose euthanasia so the rest of the family would be able to return to work to prevent more hardship?

I know...100%, that if i was dying, no matter how much pain i was in, i would go through it just to have 1 more minute a day with my children.
If i could choose to die though, i may do just to save my family from watching me die. That cant be right.