Euthanasia

[leelapops]

Don't think I have asked this before, although it's something I have a definite opinion on!

How do people feel about euthanasia? Is it less taboo than in previous years? Or still seen as problematic?

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[gonzo00]

i think that euthanasia should be legalised worldwide..it sure beats having your family and friends go through the anguish of watching a loved one waste away in a hospice bed. it seems outrageous that in this day and age terminally ill people are forced to endure months or even years of severe pain and suffering when it would be illegal to allow an animal to suffer in this way.

[B00]

Rather apt question as I buried my grandma this morning. She was 93 and hadn't had any quality of life for the last 5 years and didn't speak or move unless moved by carers etc for the last 3.

As heartless as this may sound, each time I visited her I thought to myself " I wouldn't let a dog suffer like this, this is existing, not living".

So yes, I agree with euthanasia for cases like this, how you'd stop this being abused though if it ever became possible to do legally I don't know.

[leelapops]

gonzo, I completely agree! I don't think anyone should have to endure suffering and pain, and have to see others subjected to it. If it is a human rights issue, it is a misguided one: surely forcing someone to remain in pain, and the knock-on effects of this for family and friends, is actually a breach of humanity?

I can safely say that if my quality of life is so severely diminished that I and my family and friends are in pain, I would hope to make it to somewhere that will put me out of my own, and everybody else's, misery.

[leelapops]

B00 I am sorry to hear about your loss, and sorry if this post was a bit badly timed.

I do agree with you. I wouldn't leave Jack, my beloved Collie, to suffer if he had a broken leg, or tumours, or age-related problems. Why aren't humans afforded the same dignity?

Would it be possible to "opt-in" to it like you would do organ donation, for example? Or have it as a part of your will? Only thing is, people don't tend to make wills very early nowadays.
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[B00]

I quite like the idea of the opt in theory, however I still think that's open to abuse. Supposing Mr Aged billionaire had opted in and he had a cold? What's to stop Mrs New Young Mrs Billionaire from saying...."but he was ill, he wanted to go...etc etc etc" as she put the pillow over his face.

Thank you regarding my grandma, I'm not that overly upset (God I sound horrible dont I?) As far as I was concerned she hadn't been my grandma for a good few years and today was a relief really.

[bensmum]

I don't see what the problem is with euthanasia. I have had to have pets put down due to illness and it is a far more dignified way than being kept alive when there is no quality of life or hope of recovery. I suppose the argument would be that there may always be a chance of recovery but if I had reached old age I don't think I would want to recover.
Perhaps we should have cards like the donor cards to make our wishes known. The problem is that is illegal in this country to euthanase someone so there would have to be a change to the law to protect people from prosecution. And such a law would never get through the House of Lords when it is full of bishops and the like!

[ruby27]

Generally I agree with all that has been posted. I have had loved dogs put down and would have done it for a member of family, we had discussed it and I was prepared to risk prison, however fortunately their death was quite quick in the end. But, I think a legal and regulated means is far more preferable than some sort of furtive behaviour where if you bungled it, you could add to your loved ones suffering.

But, I do think it needs to be regulated so as suggested that kind relatives don't 'assist' a little bit too early. I also think there ought to be regulation so that people who feel suicidal, young especially are not helped to die when depressed.

Apart from those with religious views who may or may not oppose this thinking death is the will of some sort of god, I am not sure why there is so much resistance as most people I have spoken to think it would be appropriate for those who are only trying to avoid a painful and lingering death.

[123everton]

Years ago I read a true story written by a nurse during WW2 she related that one day an American airman was brought in burnt from head to toe, he'd inhaled flame and was not expected to live.
For days she'd tend to him and he'd cry and moan in pain and they'd just administer morphine, one day she said to the doctor as there was no chance of survival would'nt it be better to let him die? The doctor replied that it may seem kinder but it was their duty to preserve life.
The next morning she opened the curtains by his bed and when she turned she could see him looking at her "morning" she said, and in a lucid moment he looked about and said "sunshine, flowers, it's good to be alive."
He died that afternoon.

[styley]

Absolutely, it should be available, especially to terminally ill, or constantly in pain, people. As per usual, it is mainly religion which holds society back from allowing this procedure to be validated. The dilemma is that one has to choose euthanasia, which suggests being of sound mind. Therefore, people with dementia etc could not avail of it. For example, you could have an uncle who in his day was the life and soul of the party and now he sits all day in a chair, dribbling, and if you went to see him, he knows not who you are.

He may have to be fed liquidised food through a straw and have his bum wiped after each toilet visit. One would assume he does not enjoy his existence anymore but it would be hard to justify taking away his life to society.

[leelapops]

B00 I understand what you are saying-I suppose, as with other contentious issues, there is room for abuse. I can't think of a solution really! But I am fascinated to see that people who've posted agree on the whole that it should be allowed. You don't sound horrible at all-I absolutely know what you mean with regards to feeling your grandma was somebody and somewhere else...

styley and bensmum, I feel that it is absolutely the 'fault' of religion that euthanasia isn't permitted here. Why do those in religion still maintain such power? And it really IS power, and power that is so often abused. Who are they to say who lives or dies, all because they believe their god to be in charge of this. It astounds me that an entity that may or may not be real, and is grounded entirely in history, allows so much suffering and wrongdoing to be excused.
ruby, I agree it shouldn't be a covert operation-if it was legalised and available here, that would ease the extra distress that having to travel and keep it secret causes.

Why can't things just be easier?! x

[leelapops]

everton, nice story :) x