The Right to Die

[George2Loose]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17336774

Always find these stories so compelling and am on the fence.

Obviously this person has no quality of life and wants to die but cannot do it without help.

Is the court right in its ruling? If a loved one asked you to do this- assuming no legal implication- could you do it?

Should it euthanasia be made legal or would it be subject to exploitation?

[millidonk]

I had to write an essay on this once as well as take part in a debate.

Cliffs = Pro Euthanasia, should be made legal.

[Hairydude]

I think.... If the rules and regulations are water tight and there is no room for abuse then it should be made legal.

I know a guy who went to dignitas after being paralysed from the waist down after jumping head first into swimming pool; it cost his family and absolute fortune to get everything done and were also subject to an investigation from the police(but were ultimately and thankfully not prosecuted)

It had already cost his family £20k to get him home from Spain as alcohol was in his system from the night before(who hasnt on holiday) and insurance wouldnt pay out

[Eso Kral]

Having seen my Father pass away 3 yrs ago from Cancer and remembering what a proud/strong man he was and what that put him through I would be pro Euthanasia camp as once he knew it was terminal if he could have flicked the switch then I am 100% sure he would have!

[Marky147]

Pro for me 100%

God forbid I ever get to that stage but should I reach a point where I am unable to function on any normal level and am incapable of being able to feed myself or communicate etc. I would want to go to sleep and it be the long one.

That may be considered selfish but I think that's my right as I can't even begin to comprehend what kind of hell it is to be trapped inside a body which doesn't work whilst being completely aware of everything that is going on around.

[mondatoo]

I'm definitely in the Pro camp.

[DungBeetle]

Didn't realise Dignatis would assist paraplegics?  Can understand that people who are paralysed from the neck down have zero life quality, but surely having use of the top half of your body and being able to speak, eat and breath on your own is a hugely different scenario?

I see the insurance company was being sc*m as usual.

[Laxie]

Pro ainec

[Somerled]

Pro ainec

+1

[ManuelsMum]

I had to write an essay on this once as well as take part in a debate.

Cliffs = Pro Euthanasia, should be made legal.

We had to give speeches in class when we were 16, on a topic of our choice.
One of my classmates stood up and announced that she was going to talk on this. I was expecting stuff about chinese 16 year olds, spent the whole time wondering wtf she was going on about.
Every time I hear the word mentioned I think back to this and cringe inside a little.

[outragous76]

Pretty sure anyone who has watched a loved one die of a terminal illness that wasn't quick nor peaceful would be pro

I don't care what anyone tells me about pain relief, you should be able to choose!

I find it mind boggling that because of 1 doctor (shipman) people now have to live out their days irrespective of condition! Whoever made that decision should be forced to watch people fade away, preferably their own,, they would soon change their minds

(yes it's an emotive subject for me and I doubt I will post again)

[ManuelsMum]

Pretty sure there are plenty of involuntary euthanicides in the UK. Hospitals full, staff stretched to the limit, a 90 year old shows up and they 'don't quite do their best' or fail to resuscitate.

[aaron1867]

I've read about these stories a few times, not just the ones related to the UK either.

Everytime I've read about it the person who helps with the killing actually has nothing done to them, so interesting to read that something might be done to the law to help them go through the process of a court case.

[DaveShoelace]

Having seen my Father pass away 3 yrs ago from Cancer and remembering what a proud/strong man he was and what that put him through I would be pro Euthanasia camp as once he knew it was terminal if he could have flicked the switch then I am 100% sure he would have!

My own father died suddenly, unexpectadley, and instantly. It was obv brutal for us, but I know 100% from years of talking to him on the subject that it was the exact way he wanted to go. No suffering, no worrying, no loss of basic functions, no loss of dignity.

I have a good friend whose father went through what it sounds like your own Father did, and I am eternally thankful my own Dad didn't.

Deffo pro if there is no hope for a cure, and the person is suffering.

However, interestingly regarding this particular case, someone who had the same condition went on to write a best selling book that was turned into a movie, and it is one of the best books I ever read. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diving-Bell-Butterfly-Jean-Dominique-Bauby/dp/0007139845

[smashedagain]

100% pro camp. Very selfish and personal reasons in the main but I think those suffering and no chance of a decent quality of life have a right to decide.