should euthanasia be legal

[zzxxee]

should euthanasia be legal in the uk?

[daffy654]

I presume you mean for human beings?
I would like the right to end my own life in a humane way when my medical condition gets to the point where I am considered "end stage".

[daniela31]

oh dear, I sense a huge post coming your way.
:-(

[zzxxee]

yes i do mean for humans, why cant people decide if they have a terminal illness the right to die with dignity

[daffy654]

I have an illness that isn't considered terminal as such,but it is incurable and I will die because of it.I will very likely be in a great deal of pain and unable to breath unaided.That is not how I want to spend my last weeks or months on earth.I would much rather be able to say to a doctor "right,i've had enough,please put me out of my pain and misery".There is every chance I will be unable to actually take my own life and will need help to do so,I would not ask my family to help because I wouldn't want them to be prosecuted for it.

[smudge]

I & someone else asked similar questions some time back zzxxee:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Q uestion53666.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Q uestion355161.html

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Q uestion203232.html

[MsEVP]

The word `dignity` is used so much without people really thinking what it means.What people really mean is that they want to do die with all their faculties intact. Does that mean that anyone who is blind, can`t walk or speak, just infirm has no dignity?
Dying is just another stage in this life that we have to go through and we must look at it with a different perspective than the others.

God gives life and only God should take it.

[4getmenot]

no there would be way too many cover ups. people killing someone then forging a note saying they wanted to die. I'm sure if someone really wanted to die they would find a way to do it for themselves

[zzxxee]

but we all dont believe in god, and unless you have been in a situation where you are in that much pain i think its a sad state of affairs to put a life sentance of pain on someone when they can be pain free and existing not living

[4getmenot]

even dot cotton had to go against god on that one

[daffy654]

If I can find a way to end my own suffering when the time comes then I will..........the chances are I won't be able to and will be made to suffer in a horrible way until the inevitable happens and I die in agony and without any dignity at all.
I don't believe in God so that is not relevant to my situation.Anyone who would allow me to suffer because of that sort of belief is just selfish in my opinion.

[MsEVP]

Ah, I know that, zzxxee, but you asked, and that`s my opinion.

I also believe in reincation and karma

Daffy, like you I love sleeping in my recliner when I`m having a siesta!

[zzxxee]

sorry about your condition daffy and damn right you should be able to make the choice that is right for you

[zzxxee]

can i be so bold and ask what your condition is?

[daffy654]

Recliners are ok for naps and siestas MsEVP but I would much rather have an adjustable bed for nightime.Sleeping in the lounge every night definitely has it's drawbacks,not least the fact I have to wait until my other half goes to bed before I can sleep........and he is a night owl :-(
Adjustable beds are way out of my price range though!

[daffy654]

I have a genetic condition called Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency which can cause emphysema and liver disease,I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago when my inhalers for my asthma stopped being any use.I am not the only member of my family to have the condition,my dad died of it when he was only 43 years old back in 1976.My sister has been told she has around 5 years left(possibly) and i've been told I probably won't reach 50 years of age(i'm now 40).

[Bbbananas]

it's a toughie - there are some unscrupulous people out there that would kill off loved ones for entirely the wrong reasons; no need to go into what those are.

In essence, I believe everyone has the right to decide when/how they are going to die if they have an awful debilitating painful horrible illness and they can't bear the thought of losing their faculties, bodily functions etc. the problem comes when they are unable to carry out their wishes personally - who do you ask? Is it an impossible thing to ask? would they get in trouble for it?

[MsEVP]

God bless you, Daffy. I can understand your situation.

When I win the lottery you shall have your bed.

Or, failing that, I could send you a `spell` for the acquiring of a proper bed. x

[zzxxee]

im am very sorry to hear that how do you cope do you have a good support network around you?

[Bbbananas]

God bless you indeed Daffy - sorry, didn;t mean to interrupt threads there. xx

[daffy654]

I am actually coping fairly well,thanks for asking.
:-)
I came to terms with the diagnosis quite quickly and easily,my family however took it much harder! My 11 year old son knows i'm ill but not the extent and seriousness of my condition.