Following the debate in the house of lords today, what do you people think about the right of a terminally ill patient to take their life?

My stance is thus:

If someone has little [or no] chance of survival following the onset of a clinically diagnosed disease and is suffering unbearably as a result, euthanasia is a plausable solution.

My only fear is that this could open a can of worms;
* will this lead to some terminally ill people adopting the attitude of "having a duty to die", alleviating the strain on a family member(s)?

* where does this stop? who comes under this umbrella? if a man or woman is mentally ill, i.e. paranoid schizophrenic, multiple personality disorder etc. should they be allowed to take their own lives? some (not many) are so ill they cannot be allowed into the community for fear of harming themselves or others - it could be argued that due to sectioning they have little quality of life, due to restricted movement and their illness itself. Would some patients not wish to end this situation?

Im not saying euthanasia is a bad thing for those who want it, but its implications on society which could be damaging; are we not pruning off the weak? should we seek to improve palliative care and tend to the sick and needy?

what do you think?

Euthanasia is used quite responsibly over here in Oregon. Not a problem, theres not been a flood of takers, just a trickle of the worst cases.

You need clearance by a couple shrinks, a couple doctors, then its time to check out.

I find it completely humane, but it must be the patients own choice.

I could see you stoic Englishmen screwing it all up though.

Should doctors fight to keeo a baby thats constantly screaming in agony alive?

Providing the right safeguards are put in place there should be no problem IMO with an informed choice to end it, or if the person has made a suitable living will that it be carried out.

You also need to have protedtion for those who cannot decide for themselves though. We put down pets who are suffering yet we dont give humans the same option?

Quote from: SeriousYou also need to have protedtion for those who cannot decide for themselves though. We put down pets who are suffering yet we dont give humans the same option?

Thats what next of kin does, and if you dont trust them, write a living will.

Quote from: maximusotterEuthanasia is used quite responsibly over here in Oregon.

I like how you practice it over there too, the idependent review by three doctors that occurs makes the whole system well executed.

Oh I will buuuurn for that.....

Quote from: maximusotter

Quote from: SeriousYou also need to have protedtion for those who cannot decide for themselves though. We put down pets who are suffering yet we dont give humans the same option?

Thats what next of kin does, and if you dont trust them, write a living will.

but what good will that do for extremely deformed babies or those with extreme genetic problems?

out comes the hammer of euthinasia....

what a great job