Euthanasia for those who want it - yes or no?

1. 77

   Seeker7posted 12 years ago

   Euthanasia for those who want it - yes or no?
   
   The euthanasia debate has reared it's head again in the UK about people having to travel to Switzerland if they want euthanasia to end their life. Many people are saying that the law should be changed to allow some form of legal euthanasia in the UK.
   
   My own personal feelings are  - people should have the right to make their own choices in this matter and especially if they feel this will allow them to die peacefully. pain free and with dignity.
   
   What's your own point of view, would you want euthanasia legalised in your country - 'yes' or 'no'?

   replyreport
2. 88

   innerspinposted 12 years ago

   I would say yes, because I'd like the choice myself under certain circimstances. Most people I know say the same. The law would need careful wording to protect vulnerable people, but many are capable of making the decision rationally. Then there would be the question of who would carry out the euthanasia. It shouldn't be forced on doctors if it's against their beliefs or personal views. A difficult topic.

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Seeker7posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you innerspin - and there are complications. However, in Switzerland they have carried out euthanasia with little or no problems. We could follow the same kind of regime that the Swiss have.

      replyreport
3. 86

   ESPeck1919posted 12 years ago

   I'd say "yes", but only in the cases of terminal illness. As a daughter of a hospice nurse, and someone who's helped care for someone towards the end of their life, I've heard of and seen some of the pain and humiliation people go through when their bodies take the final turn in life.
   
   If the individual doesn't want to submit themselves and their loved ones to that, why shouldn't they be allowed to die with dignity?
   
   Here in the US, there's still a huge debate about ending life support for patients with little to no chance of any sort of recovery amongst some circles.

   replyreport
   1. 68

      Gypsy Willowposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think it should be allowed after careful consideration. Dying with dignity should be the norm.

      replyreport
   2. 77

      Seeker7posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi ESPeck1919, I agree with you, as a nurse myself and also having to watch my Mum linger for weeks on end in pain, euthanasia would have been kindest and the most dignified for her.

      replyreport
4. 0

   Moeskyposted 12 years ago

   Death is part of life and should be treated with the same respect and dignity - so, simple, yes.

   replyreport
5. 76

   TIMETRAVELER2posted 12 years ago

   I watched my mother lie in a bed for years with no knowledge of anything and no ability to do anything for herself.  She was in the final stages of Alzheimer's Disease and watching her live like this was heartbreaking.
   
   We treat dogs better than this, and I agree, this is something we need to change asap.  Nobody should have to live like a vegetable or in great, never ending pain.  To force them to do so is inhumane.

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Seeker7posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi timetraveler2 - oh that is awful about your Mum! My own Mum did linger in a lot of pain, this was only for a few weeks - not years. And yes, I've had beautiful dogs all my life - not one of them has ever suffered the way some people have!

      replyreport
6. 84

   nanderson500posted 12 years ago

   Yes, for terminal illnesses. It's already legal in some states.

   replyreport
7. 60

   Rosemay50posted 12 years ago

   I would vote ‘YES’ for anyone with a terminal illness or living in a vegetative state.  I would like to have the choice.
   BUT I would like to see regulations, for instance the decision to be made by more than one person and to include a doctor.  Also a period of ‘think time’ so that there was absolutely no doubts.    The decision would have to be made for the benefit of the patient and not just because they are a burden. I would hate to see a society who just automatically decided to end a life as a matter of fact.
   I would also like to see it done competently by a medical practitioner
   We should have the choice to die with dignity and without pain. We wouldn’t let our pets suffer on in pain when there was no hope would we.

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Seeker7posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Rosemay, I agree with you. It would be a very scary place to live where euthansia was used in order to cut costs! I would suggest looking at how Switzerland has managed this successfully for many years and use a similar plan?

      replyreport
8. 76

   Express10posted 12 years ago

   I think those who want it should have it. Not everyone can walk in the shoes of those desiring it and not everyone lives their lives or chooses to die by the constraints of society and religion. I live in the US and think that for those who want it, that it might lend that person some level of dignity or comfort rather than suffering at the end of their life. I saw my father truly suffer from end stage liver disease due to alcoholism. He truly suffered for a total of two months before he died and there are many with a variety of ailments who suffer for many months or longer.

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Seeker7posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Express10 - that's sad about your Dad and I can understand it - my Mum was in pain for about 3 months before she died from complications of a perforated ulcer. Everyone knew there would be no turning back and so euthanasia would have been kinder.

      replyreport
9. 71

   catgypsyposted 12 years ago

   Absolutely yes. It's the greatest gift we can give our sick animals and I think people should have the same option. It really upsets me that we do this for criminals who have done horrendous things, but will not allow it for someone who is in such pain from illness. I have always admired Dr. Kevorkian and hope that this becomes an option for sick people everywhere. If you have ever watched a loved one suffer from an illness, you understand.

   replyreport
10. 59

    Cas Merchantposted 12 years ago

    YES...It's my life! If I'm in pain, or I'm leading a sad and unhappy life, who is anyone to say that I can't decide when to bow out gracefully? Sometimes you fight the good fight and in the end, you're just tired and don't want to fight anymore. My life. My choice.

    replyreport
11. 77

    Beata Stasakposted 12 years ago

    Yes, people with terminal illness and living in unberiable pain should have a choice to decide to continue with living or not....we as humans feel with those who suffer and we try to do anything to ease their pain...if there is no other way to ease the suffering, euthanasia becomes the only solution...

    replyreport