Poll: Terry Pratchet what the...

Euthanasia?

  • I'm in favour of assisted death for anyone who chooses it

    Votes: 252 41.4%

  • I'm in favour provided the person is suffering from a terminal condition

    Votes: 301 49.4%

  • I'm not in favour of assisted death

    Votes: 31 5.1%

  • I hold no opinion about it

    Votes: 25 4.1%
  • Total voters
    609
Didn't realize this was on, sounds very interesting. Will watch it tomorrow if time allows.

I'm of the view that euthanasia should be available to any and all (providing they are of sound mental mind and/or it is/was an implied and certain desire).
 
Adnams Drinker said:
I've watched two fit, active men - namely my father and grandfather - reduced to bedridden shells of their former selves whilst suffering a drawn-out death, so for me it's quite simple.

If an animal is suffering or is terminally ill, we consider it humane to put it to sleep, but if a human being is in the same position, we consider it humane to allow that person to suffer or force them to see out the rest of their days in a morphine-induced haze.

That is not a fate I want for myself, should I ever find myself in that position.
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Think about it .. If people have the option of a 'dignified' death .. not 'choosing' it will soon be seen as 'undignified'.
 
This is a poignant thread for my own experience with someones passing.

Not so long back my best mate was not so well, i went to see him he said he was waiting on a hospital appointment.
I took one look at him and knew what was going to happen so had him admitted the same day then came all the various tests, the family and friends dealt with what they thought was a manageable illness, they could not see what or refused to deal with what was coming. Fast forward 10 days and the tests were conclusive no hope whatsoever. Now bearing in mind the subject matter of this thread the medical staff started talking about "pathways" a withdrawal of treatment such as pain medication etc on the grounds of no hope and prolonging the agony was not in Johns best interest.
They withdrew the medication after consent was given and he slipped into a non responsive state soon after, the last thing he said was "help me Tony".
The staff were very carefull for obvious legal reasons to avoid any talk of "assisted" etc etc, but by withdrawing treatment is that not along the "assisted" lines even though there was nothing done that would bring on the innevitable quicker. By direct action of the withdrawal of medication it brings about the same end result.
If i am not wording things right am sorry but you get the general idea, i wish i could have brought about the end of his suffering sooner how can anyone be refused the right to die with dignity?
Am sure some of you have been there saying your goodbyes to a loved one or family member and may well have thought " i wish i could help end your suffering" i just cannot understand why this country is so backward in coming forwards.:confused::(
 
Im for assisted suicide for everyone nothing is worse than waiting for the horrific moment to finally pass in what seems like a long drawn out painful process.

Why on earth can we not have this. Its everyone's right as a human to decide how we end it. The problem is terminally ill people usually cant jump off a bridge or hang themselves. So assisted suicide should be an option for everyone.
 
Being a huge Pratchet fan iv followed this debate for quite a few years, and Sir Terry's long illness that has lead to him becoming a proponent of the argument for euthanasia. He was awarded a prize last year with a speech read out by his long friend Tony Robinson that really struck home how difficult his life has become and how sad it is for him to suffer with the condition which I felt had more effect than today's programme, though the bloke dieing at the end wasnt nice it did reflect how much people want to be able to choose.

Anyway im all out for euthanasia as ultimately it is someone's right to choose the path of their life, which ultimately leads to their death, the good quote in the programme is that the UN states that everyone has "the right to self determination" which in this case is very a different interpretation to the political sense but justify's it legally.

From a moral level none should be forced to live through something that removes any quality of life, seen enough people wither because of illness/old age to see that though it can be selfish for someone to want to die and take their life away form others, its not fair to encourage someone to live because you can not cope with their death.
 
I'd prefer some sort of "opt in" choice. Where I'd sign my name (something like the donor scheme we opt in atm) and if for some reason I end up in a situation where I'm suffering or have little, to no quality of life, it would be an option for my family or a committee of medical experts seeing as they know full well what my wishes were before my health changed.
 
I voted for not in favour, but only because my opinion falls somewhere between there and being in favour for terminally ill people, but not wanting to say that I have no opinion...
 
Couple of things ... the place in Switzerland where you go to die is a metal warehouse in the middle of an industrial estate. And the way he died was very disturbing as he was begging for water which they wouldn't give him. Then his breathing changed .... it was horrible to watch
 
I'm of the opinion that it's everyone's own decision and they should be able to decide as and when, to hear that 80% of the population are for it is unbelievable that they aren't being listened to.

I don't think it should just be for terminal conditions, there are chronic conditions that aren't going to kill you but are unbearable such as incurable back conditions, having had some relatively minor back complaints myself I can't imagine what people have to go through who need operations etc., especially if it doesn't cure it.

For people who have incurable but non fatal problems their wishes should be respected as well.

As regarding mental conditions...I really can't make my mind up on that, I don't know enough on how 'well' someone can become with the correct interventions.

There is no way I could watch that programme but for those that have, I was rather shocked to read that he was asking for water, from what I've read of the subject I thought people just went into a deep sleep and that was it...I think I'm going to regret asking this but is it more drawn out than that?
 
So far 127/134 forum voters are for it... that's pretty resounding.

Britboy - I'm kind of with what you're are saying - there is definitely room for abuse, and for societal norms to change, however I try and think somewhat selfishly about what I'd prefer in that situation and I think I'd rather have children moaning at me and the right to choose, than be in insufferable agony and not be allowed a way out.
 
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