Assisted Dying

[Seagull27]

Very tough. In principle I don't think anyone would be against it, but making it legal opens up a huge can of worms. As long as there is a possibility of someone opting for assisted death when not in the right mental state, or having been pushed into it by someone else after inheritance etc then it is very difficult.

It's a very hard decision (on whether to pass the law) and not one that I would want to make.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I agree with this although I have said if I'm ever diagnosed with something that leaves me with no quality of life and being a burden to others the I'll be on the first flight to Zurich.

I have recently been reading Terry Pratchetts comments on this subject and his views are very well thought through.

This.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

What one does with ones own life and life decisions is no business of a Government.

 

[Seagull kimchi]

It would be nice if the Govt. let us go somewhere convenient and comfortable to end it all when pain or debilitation overcomes us. But, when have govt.s ever made our lives easier. We should and probably all do have an idea of plan a for the worst case scenario, and it involves saving up pills or having razors nearby. *uck the govt. and their permission.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

At it's simplest, if you can be prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, why on earth should the same not apply to causing unnecessary suffering to a human being? Which is what the current law amounts to.

 

[Frutos]

At it's simplest, if you can be prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, why on earth should the same not apply to causing unnecessary suffering to a human being? Which is what the current law amounts to.

Totally agree.

If a person is of sound mind and wishes to make such a decision when in such terminal circumstances, how can it be right to deny them that choice?

 

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

We "mocked up" some Dignitas vouchers and a one way ticket to Switzerland for an old boy at work,gave them to Him at His retirement do,he laughed,His wife didn't see the funny side.

 

[Frutos]

I agree with this although I have said if I'm ever diagnosed with something that leaves me with no quality of life and being a burden to others the I'll be on the first flight to Zurich.

I have recently been reading Terry Pratchetts comments on this subject and his views are very well thought through.

Couldn't agree more

 

[bobby baxter]

I'd vote for the bill, I want my children/Grandchildren/great Grandchildren, to remember me eating Christmas dinner, playing footie and swimming in the sea with them, not laying in hospital drugged up with tubes from every orifice.
My old fella had several strokes, his last years were a nightmare.

 

[Perfidious Albion]

Once again our M P's act in a way that defies public opinion. Who said it is a democracy?

 

[Richard Tiltmans Shin Pad]

My wife has a brain tumour diagnosed in 2008 - 2 operations, 1 round of radiotherapy, 3 courses of chemotherapy, and 1 clinical trial later, its still growing in her head. We came home from the latest appointment, after being told there is nothing left treatment wise, on Thursday. On the way home, my wife and i had a very frank conversation - she said that sometimes she wished it would hurry up and take her, I said that watching someone wither away on front of your own eyes was heartbreaking. We have two children 16 and 13, who watch their mum slowly but surely regressing, struggling to read, find words to talk, to listen. We all want to remember her as she was in her prime, not the vague imitation of the person she once was. Forget the legal side, it means nothing - take a look at your nearest an dearest and wonder what it would be like.........then think again about your answer to this question.......

 

[GT49er]

Bill fails to pass.

So, yet again politicians completely fail to take in the mood of the public that elected them. I know it's only a snapshot, but 82% on here in favour of assisted dying is a fair indication of how far the snouts in the Westminster trough are out of touch.

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

So, yet again politicians completely fail to take in the mood of the public that elected them. I know it's only a snapshot, but 82% on here in favour of assisted dying is a fair indication of how far the snouts in the Westminster trough are out of touch.

I take great caution with public polling on this, or for that matter anything at the moment.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Completely against for several reason. First I teach medical students....

Second, no safeguards would ever be adequate.

Third, we already have it...... in as much as when a GP knows the patient, like my mate's dad's GP knew him, there are ways of giving the patient a way out if they want to take it, especially when it comes to spelling out how much morphine to not take .....

I would never vote for legalized killing, whether it be medical or judicial, although I have every understanding for people who decide to take things on themselves, with help if necessary. Making it legal would be simply stupid, and I'm glad the MPs voted as they did (and as they always do when someone calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty.)

 

[Richard Tiltmans Shin Pad]

Completely against for several reason. First I teach medical students....

Second, no safeguards would ever be adequate.

Third, we already have it...... in as much as when a GP knows the patient, like my mate's dad's GP knew him, there are ways of giving the patient a way out if they want to take it, especially when it comes to spelling out how much morphine to not take .....

I would never vote for legalized killing, whether it be medical or judicial, although I have every understanding for people who decide to take things on themselves, with help if necessary. Making it legal would be simply stupid, and I'm glad the MPs voted as they did (and as they always do when someone calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty.)

Very easy to say when your nearest and dearest, the love of your life, isn't fading away before your eyes.....ask that very person whether they want to wilt or go out with a bang......then reconsider your position. It may not change, but then again, it might.......

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Completely against for several reason. First I teach medical students....

Second, no safeguards would ever be adequate.

Third, we already have it...... in as much as when a GP knows the patient, like my mate's dad's GP knew him, there are ways of giving the patient a way out if they want to take it, especially when it comes to spelling out how much morphine to not take .....

I would never vote for legalized killing, whether it be medical or judicial, although I have every understanding for people who decide to take things on themselves, with help if necessary. Making it legal would be simply stupid, and I'm glad the MPs voted as they did (and as they always do when someone calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty.)

I really don't want this to turn into a binfest BUT what right does anyone have to say how I end MY life if I'm terminally ill ? I get that a friend or family member can assist me if they want but I wouldn't want them put in the position of having to break the law to do so. Equally, doing it via the back door with medical staff puts them in a awkward position legally. Is it really that difficult to allow people with terminal illnesses to die how and when they want within the law ? It was a horrendous result from Parliament today.

 

[Motogull]

What one does with ones own life and life decisions is no business of a Government.

I agree fully. My guess is religious MPs will never support this, or embryo research.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

My wife has a brain tumour diagnosed in 2008 - 2 operations, 1 round of radiotherapy, 3 courses of chemotherapy, and 1 clinical trial later, its still growing in her head. We came home from the latest appointment, after being told there is nothing left treatment wise, on Thursday. On the way home, my wife and i had a very frank conversation - she said that sometimes she wished it would hurry up and take her, I said that watching someone wither away on front of your own eyes was heartbreaking. We have two children 16 and 13, who watch their mum slowly but surely regressing, struggling to read, find words to talk, to listen. We all want to remember her as she was in her prime, not the vague imitation of the person she once was. Forget the legal side, it means nothing - take a look at your nearest an dearest and wonder what it would be like.........then think again about your answer to this question.......

I keep reading your post and trying to respond but finding the right words...nope.

My Grandmother had dementia and for the last 5 years of her life it was an existence, not a life. She was a shell of the strong willed, funny woman I knew and would not have wanted to end her days as she did.

I can only wish you and your family strength from wherever that may come for you.

 

[dangull]

Stephen Hawkins condition would have made a lot of people want to end their life sooner. The world would not have seen the scientific discoveries that he has made if he decided or was pressured into making this decision. I know he probably still enjoys his life, but palliative medicine can ease suffering in terminal conditions, and that has been said before, hospital medicine can speed the ending of a life when it has got to the worst stage.

 

[Richard Tiltmans Shin Pad]

I keep reading your post and trying to respond but finding the right words...nope.

My Grandmother had dementia and for the last 5 years of her life it was an existence, not a life. She was a shell of the strong willed, funny woman I knew and would not have wanted to end her days as she did.

I can only wish you and your family strength from wherever that may come for you.

I hope you remember your Gran how she was in her prime, but i fear you don't......my best wishes to you and yours.

Thank you for your kind words. We take each day as it comes - each new one is a gift to be savoured and cherished - a bit of a cliché I know, but that genuinely is how it is.

I am sure many people are more versed than I in the ethical and legal minefield that this subject is, but there is also a huge emotional one. And that should not ever be forgotten. Having just taken Power of Attorney over my wife’s' medical affairs, I see this subject through very wide open eyes.....there are the Doctors opinions, there are the patients wishes, there is the 'law' and then there is my family and I......who is to say the law makers are right? Or wrong? Why should faceless politicians decide how my wife should, if she chose to, go? What if it is her last will? Her dying wish? Aren't peoples last will and testament governed by law themselves?