Assisted Dying Bill: Fresh Debate On 'right To Die'

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34208624

What do we all think about this ?

I will say straight away, that I am in favour of changing the existing law, as long as it monitored properly. A close relative of mine died 18 years ago in a lot of pain.

Surely we should be able to assist someone to shuffle off this mortal coil with a bit more dignity ?

[Gavmacp]

I do rather agree but some people don't like the reality of life and death.

[jackthehat]

Whilst the clip itself wasn't necessarily 'gratuitous', Ratter, I'm not sure it was appropriate for a discussion like this on a website like this.

But it has gone, and it's probably better to draw a line rather than clog up the thread with accusations and recriminations.

[Gavmacp]

Actually it is quite interesting.
We are debating a very difficult subject. When I first saw the video I thought dying should be a private affair. But the chap must of consented to it being filmed. This video showed what it is like to die using one option.

[RATTER15]

Total nonsense!

[jackthehat]

Fair enough.......
I hoped that this would be a discussion about RTD rather than Ratter's wounded pride; but apparently not. :o(

[Sqad]

Difficult.

If you want to be sure that everyone reads a post then add.."For men only" or "If you are of a nervous....etc.etc."

Ratter;s motive for posting the film was honorable and was supporting his "right to die" stance showing the dignity involved.

I watched the video and i felt it to be a rather uncomfortable experience, my sympathy was mainly for the onlookers......a touch of.......ghoulish.
No I didn't feel it was offensive and yes, i felt it added to the debate (thread).

Should it have been removed?...difficult, but on balance........YES.

[mikey4444]

vetuste_ennemi (10:08)...yes, I quite agree with you.

My point was that our family wished that it had happened earlier, as my poor Mum was never going to recover, and it would have saved her considerable pain, and indignity.

[mikey4444]

Ratter...I didn't see your removed post, but thanks for posting anyway.

[Sqad]

mikey......LOL....RATTER must be unique on AB getting an BEST ANSWER and having a post "pulled" on the same thread.

( Why DO Abers, give the first post a BEST ANSWER?..confused of Menorca)

[RATTER15]

Lol sqad, ti coz I'm unique!

[Old_Geezer]

If anyone owns a life it is the person who is living it and if in their right mind, have the say in when it no longer has sufficient quality to be kept. Of course society has a moral responsibility to aid those whose mental condition might prevent them from making decisions beneficial to themselves: but it seems clear the balance of control is too far from the individual at present.

The law should be changed, but the right safeguards in place too.

[mikey4444]

Sqad...I gave our friend Ratter BA because he neatly encapsulated my views
on this subject, in few words ! I was, of course, unaware of his later post at the time I gave BA.

[Svejk]

Again, about 70% of doctors are opposed to this. How can it be right to force them to be involved?
What about people who have no family interested in their welfare. Will the state decide when they aren't leading a useful life, when they have become a drain on resources?
Obviously not the intention of the bill. But it's worth considering where these things can lead.

[Sqad]

LOL......so mikey......someone who "neatly encapsulates your views" gets a BA?

;-)......nobody can say that you are biased eh?

[Gavmacp]

Doctors will not be forced into this. I think there would be a team of Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers etc to assist in this.

[Sqad]

\\\\\Again, about 70% of doctors are opposed to this. How can it be right to force them to be involved? \\\

I would doubt that figure of 70%

\\\\How can it be right to force them to be involved? \\\

Nobody will force them as they will say I am not going to be a part of this.
remember....two doctors and a high court judge will make the decision.

\\\\What about people who have no family interested in their welfare.\\\

It's not the family that will instigate RTD it is the patient.

[Svejk]

They patently will be involved. Even if they don't administer the lethal drugs themselves.

[Svejk]

I wouldn't have quoted a figure I just made up, sqad. It's a very simple thing to check.