right to die

[woolley]

Why don't we have the right to die if our bodies aren't functioning?

[incitatus]

we do. we just dont have the right to get help doing it. Personally I can't see why a dog receives more mercy than a human, but there you go.

[vittoria]

One reason may be (and I am not saying that I agree with it) that if it were legal to help other people die, then those who are old weak and vulnerable (and troublesome timeconsuming and expensive to care for) could be "eliminated" with the excuse that they themselves wanted to die; also, if it were acceptable to die when seriously ill, then why spend millions in research to cure them when euthenasia is quick easy and cheap? I have heard these arguments and I am not saying that I agree.

[Waterwolf]

This is the main problem with euthanasia; it could be used as a new kind of 'Final Solution.' And if the only arguments to consider were those outlined by Vittoria, I'd be dead against it. But if a fully ethical and enforcable system could be devised, I don't see why anyone who truly needs it shouldn't have the right to medically assisted suicide.

[good2skull]

Suppose we did have a "controlled" system of legal voluntary euthanasia, I wonder if would that prevent power mad loonies like Dr. H. Shipman from getting up to no good? I don't know if it would. Even with an ethical euthanasia policy you would surely wtill get some people effecting their own "final solution" believing that they were doing good or simply because they are a bit crazy. In a society where voluntary euthanasia is legal, would there be greater potential for all the budding Dr. Shipmans out there to misuse their positions resulting in the obvious ?

[Catherine2]

It's a difficult question, that is true, but just because this is extremely sensitive territory, it doesn't mean we should avoid the debate. There has to be a way to help people who consider they have no quality of life and want to die. I don't think anyone who has read about Diane Pretty or the other lady on a ventilator could think they are being "manipulated" by others. There needs to be a system with plenty of checks and balances, where candidates need to be assessed by several independent doctors, psychiatrists and other pertinent professionals, and apply to the courts.