Should assisted suicide be legal (for everyone)?
- Thread starter dowie
- Start date
No, I don’t think It should be available for everyone.
I agree with the principle that liberty is supreme, but if you’ve ever raised an eyebrow at some of the decisions being made in relation to sex, sexuality and gender at a young age then there should be obvious reasons why opening this door could lead young people down an unnecessary path to death.
It seems sensible to me to have a fairly high age requirement (or require a terminal illness) as there are so many options for most people other than death.
I agree with the principle that liberty is supreme, but if you’ve ever raised an eyebrow at some of the decisions being made in relation to sex, sexuality and gender at a young age then there should be obvious reasons why opening this door could lead young people down an unnecessary path to death.
It seems sensible to me to have a fairly high age requirement (or require a terminal illness) as there are so many options for most people other than death.
I think the doctors’ sign off should help with that since they could speak to the person without family there and observe how they are generally.
Soldato
If they want to commit suicide then let them.
But don't let them claim insurance if they have it.
But don't let them claim insurance if they have it.
Associate
Euthanasia- a doctor would end a patient's life. Perhaps someone in a long-term coma, or vegetative state, after lengthy consultation with close family.
Assisted suicide- the patient is given the means to end their own life, they will choose if and when to do it.
That's my take on it anyway. So I guess you're pretty much spot-on there.
Caporegime
When he's a vegetable.
I just don’t think this argument is realistic with safeguards in place.
Maybe grandad doesn't like rotting in a care home crapping himself every 4 hours?
Exactly, it can't be beyond our capabilities to put robust safeguards in place.
That doesn't mean there wouldn't be any attempted or successful abuse of the system, but like with any system, we accept small risks for the greater benefit
Have you got any examples of that happening in Switzerland? How much of a risk is it in reality?
Soldato
Yes.
Every aspect of human existence has risks and is exploitable. But that's no reason to deny people the official right to call it quits, or -- my area of extreme concern -- to put in plans to opt for a big dose of morphine rather than a long, slow, ever diminished, ever more expensive festering in a dementia care home.
Every aspect of human existence has risks and is exploitable. But that's no reason to deny people the official right to call it quits, or -- my area of extreme concern -- to put in plans to opt for a big dose of morphine rather than a long, slow, ever diminished, ever more expensive festering in a dementia care home.
I tend to agree with the "of sound mind" clause and being signed off by health and legal professionals to ensure no foul play or duress.
That bill mentioned above is only for terminally ill patients though.
In its defence I suspect the numbers would be somewhat shocking if you gave a quick and painless way out to whoever wanted it. Until mental health services and other issues in society are sorted, a large number of people with mental or other struggles will keep throwing themselves in front of trains and hanging themselves in the woods.
That bill mentioned above is only for terminally ill patients though.
In its defence I suspect the numbers would be somewhat shocking if you gave a quick and painless way out to whoever wanted it. Until mental health services and other issues in society are sorted, a large number of people with mental or other struggles will keep throwing themselves in front of trains and hanging themselves in the woods.
Caporegime
It's over
Soldato
- Joined
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It would be Grandad's choice, not his family, so no, there wouldn't be a slippery slope
Maybe you would like to complain about life support and people deciding it's okay to switch it off ?
Yes, it’s a shame. I wonder if it will consider degenerative conditions (MS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Dementia) as terminal. I think these conditions should be included.
The Bill has only been ‘introduced’ too. On the second reading there is an actual debate and this is where it was thrown out last time (2013/14 I think).
Well there was that story some time back of that Dutch girl who would have quite happily been euthanised if they'd agreed to it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48541233 - OK she didn't jump in front of a train but quite easily could have.
Pretty sad but there are definitely edge cases out there.
Man of Honour
For medical reasons yes. I have seen several people (mainly family members) suffer horribly from cancer before they finally passed away. My wifes father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and at first my sister in law and her husband were looking after him. When it got too bad for them and they couldn't do it any longer he was put in a specialist hospital for end of life care. The first week he was laughing and joking but within a few days he had gone downhill rapidly and was in a terrible state. Just 12 days after he went in there he was thin as a rake, in terrible pain and barely able to recognise that anyone was there. A couple of days later we went back to see him on his 72nd birthday and he was completely out of it and the smell from him constantly messing himself and being sick was horrible. My wife and I left in tears after seeing this lovely, once proud man reduced to nothing more than a vegetable. Mercifully he passed the very next day. When we lowered his coffin into the grave (the family does it up here) it weighed next to nothing. Should I ever get cancer or anything like that I am not going to die like that. I want to die on my own terms not forced to carry on in agony and messing myself just because some pathetic people think that life is so precious it should be prolonged at any cost. That is not life, it's torture. We can be prosecuted for leaving our animals suffering yet when it comes to human beings we are supposed to leave people to suffer and even prolong that suffering. So much for doing the humane thing!!
Man of Honour
I would like this right as it, counter-intuitively, would likely extend my life. If I had found out that I had degenerative Alzheimer's or another condition that would completely compromise who I am and my quality of life, I'd have to end it myself whilst I still had the ability. This would likely be well before the time that would be the case if I could ask for help, leaving me longer with my friends and family.