Opinsy: Assisted suicide should be legalized

Read the article at guardian.co.uk
published in law & crime , tagged under report, assisted suicide, current law, end-of-life care, legal, quality end-of-life care, stringent safeguards, terminally ill, legal framework, vulnerable people

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Fiona Beth says: Really interesting opinion presented by the BBC's veteran news reporter John Simpson on his attitude towards assisted suicide in this article: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/bbc-broadcaster-john-simpson-says-he-plans-to-commit-suicide-rather-than-allow-young-son-to-see-him-as-a-gibbering-wreck-in-old-age-7888678.html

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jay_jennings says: I do agree with this in general but the exact circumstances would need to extremely clear, which maybe too difficult to regulate.

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Toni Sinclair says: This is a tricky one, as it is hard to determine whether a person is in the right mental state of mind. If someone is unfortunate enough to be severely brain damage and will have no quality of life, or if someone was in terrible pain with only death to look forward to, then yes, I think that assisted suicide should take place.

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Clifford Smith says: I think the cons outweigh the pros. First, people who are being cared for often feel they are a burden on everybody. They would opt to die for other people's sake even if they didn't really want to. If many people were to give their consent, as suggested above, the patient might feel obliged to go along with it to oblige everyone else. Second, it would be unfair on those responsible. Later they might regret their action. This could even lead to their suicide. Third, life is not something to be thrown away like an old shirt. It is precious. I watched both parents die of cancer. They showed inspirational courage and patience to the end. Seeing their strength in this final test has added meaning to my life. I hope that if it comes to that, I can also go with that courage and dignity they showed.

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Bob Sellwood says: Clifford Smith: I was going to say more-or-less the same thing as you; but you got in first.. Enough to say: well said, I agree with you 100%.

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Maddy TheMinx says: Not everyone has the courage or desire to "live with" the threat of a slow and debilitating death. I would not. we are all going to dy anyway, i just don't want a prolonged one if in agony. If i was not able to do it myself - because of a sudden misfortune, i hope someone who knows and cares about me would do it for me. My siblings and i all agree to do this for each other.

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mayman says: Disagreeing with assisted suicide is very similar to wanting torture legalised because that is what people who need it are going through right now. Of course there should be multiple people giving approval for the death including health professionals, family members, perhaps the ill person's MP or governor. Then a rogue doctor or evil family member will not get the opportunity for murder.

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Jim says: I wonder if those who think that assisted suicide is such a bad thing, would also feel the same way if forced to watch a loved one endure weeks of suffering and at the same time be powerless to help end that suffering even if said loved one begged them to do so? Forcing someone to live with an incurable, agonising illness is absolutely no different than locking someone in a dungeon and physically torturing them. You are inflicting pain on someone who cannot bear it, and those who think that this is reasonable justification for their own personal belief that 'life should end naturally' are incredibly selfish individuals.

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Sarah Kent says: only in certain cases eg, you are in constant pain, unable to do anything. as long as you are in sound mind and have the backing of your immediate family then i totally agree.

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Peter Marshall says: Just a quick immediate reply to Ste - the first couple of lines of your point mentioned about choosing a house or a car. Is a human life not more sacred and worth more than any material item ? To cut a long point of view short in the meantime, I would never say "I didn't choose to be born". I look at life from the angle of "How fortunate I am to have been born - look what I've done with my life !". We all need to concentrate on what we have, and not be negative about what we may not have. In time, we must all realise that material items can be lost, broken, stolen or destroyed. We have life - keep it for as long as you can, I suggest. Happy to continue these comments and hear any replies.

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Brian Evans says: @Peter Marshall Life is valued all the time differently based on our actions. The value of a life is only equal when we are born, after that we make what we can from it. As we grow older we start to judge other people on how they live their lives. When patients need transplants the donor organs are always given to the patient who based on value has the better life. Look at the number of people who want to kill rapists and child molesters for their crimes we value their lives as less. ( no way am I justifying their actions )

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South Park Fan says: Of course not! Hey guys lets legalize cocaine next! Or hey guys, lets allow children to watch harmful content! NO! Assisted suicide is wrong because you should die naturally. It also gives murderers a potential excuse to get away with their crimes.

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Maddy TheMinx says: The most ridiculous statement on here. How can you compare someone wanting to die with dignity instead of in agony against someone who wants to get high on drugs. good grief!!! If i was in a vegetative state or had an incurable and debilitating illness, i would hope that one of my nearest and dearest makes sure i die as soon as possible.

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Ian Taylor says: Surely Doctors make life ending decisions quiet often-in A&E they stop life saving at a point. They have the DNR system if required etc. Vets care for and help animals, and also assist as required when needed. Its about the patients dignity, but safeguards need to be in place.

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Ali says: We put animals out of their misery without any threat of prosecution, I personally would prefer to be put out of mine were I in a situation where I were in a vegetative state, in so much pain that nothing could be done, were I incapable of caring for myself, where every last shred of dignity were removed from me... the right to choose not to live like that is one I feel we should all be allowed.

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Peter Marshall says: Why should I get to choose how and when I die, as I didn't get to choose how and when I was born ? Just as you cannot change my beliefs (I may say I change, but that would be to stop you hassling me), how do you know what I really want, deep down ? If you think I want to die, you should put me in a home, with more qualified people looking after me - this may be what I want. Assist me to commit suicide because I'm suffering ? Is my "suffering" as much as others' suffering elsewhere ?

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Ste says: @Peter , why should you get to choose...anything then? The house you live in, the lifestyle you lead, the car you drive? Freedom of choice should be reserved for humans, especially if you become ill or disabled and actively choose to die. Yes, I agree, if you cannot tell the person's wishes, that's murder not suicide. But if you choose to die, you should be given the choice to. Of course, this kind of system would need serious consideration, as there's a difference between a heavily disabled man wanting to end his life because he cannot do anything for himself, and a bullied teenager saying the words 'I want to die', but the option should still exist for extreme cases. The argument 'I didn't choose to be born' is a bit non-sensual - you weren't a 'human' at the time of contraception.

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Anthony Lee Vanover II says: Sounds like an easy plan to get away with murder. Too many vagaries here. Why not just allow the right to a suicide bag. It's easy, painless, cheap, and no "assistance" is needed.

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egbegb says: Jim, the other end of the spectrum is "my rich mother was so sick and dying and she asked that we children help her pass and we did help her." (now we are rich).

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Jim says: How can we claim to be a caring society and yet force those in terminal conditions to endure weeks or months of suffering when they would rather end their lives? I thought torture was illegal.

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Brian Evans says: Why should it be doctors? So they can die pain free and with dignity. There is no dignity from death. I'm for assisted suicide but it shouldn't be regulated. It's a crime that acts as a deterrent to stop people from taking the easy option. If people truly want to help their patient or loved one die they should understand that they will have to face the consequences of that action

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egbegb says: Assisted suicide is immoral and open to subtle murder. How can a doctor believe in doing no evil, and then help someone end his or her own life? Does the doctor not consider life to be good?

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Stychey says: The individual should have the right to receive treatment or refuse it, including assisted suicide. Although it is against most countries oaths that medical staff take it. There would have to be a lot of controls over life ending treatments and the legallity of ending a life of an individual who is not aware would be a tricky one unless it is state prior in a law binding document. I think it would have to have a clear definition of what illness would be assisted, such as drepression or terminal a more terminal illness.

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ChenLee says: Agree, it is better that suicide is legalised than someone attempting suicide in the public arena and getting more people involved (or inconvenienced - whichever term you prefer) in act than necesary. Think of people jumping in front of trains, etc. Also, is it not one's human right?

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Aled Morris says: Put it this way, I doubt I would ever want to live (or exist rather) in a vegitative state and have my family care for me 24/7 for the rest of my life. I would want to go out at a time of my choosing. Criminalising someone for helping you implement that choice is wrong as far as I'm concerned. A change in the law is needed, though it would obviously require very careful legal consideration in putting such a law into effect.

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Bex says: Colin Rowe makes a good point, i do agree that people should be able to choose especially in the situation that Maddy TheMinx's sister was in, but i think there would have to be some form of safeguards in place to prevent people from making the decision for someone when it is not what they want.

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Eathon says: A persons life belongs to them, and them alone. It's up to them how long they choose to live it. Expanding on that, is a person truly living, if the only thing keeping them "alive" is monitors and machines?

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Maddy TheMinx says: I saw my sister suffer and slowly slowly die after 20 years of DYING from multiple sclerosis. There is no cure and death is inevitable. She died at 54. She begged us to end her life and we could do nothing. Her last 18 months she could not communicate in any way at all - she could not move any limb, speak or even blink. We had to guess if she had an itch or was in pain or thirsty. Meanwhile, this cruel illness allows this University graduate to keep all her mental awareness. No one has the right to tell me how I should live my life. No one has the right to tell me I can not die if I choose to.

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Colin Rowe says: If I was in the situation where I was not able to lead a normal life, incapable of looking after myself or suffering from a degenerative illness I would prefer to die in peace than go on living. However, this is not a black and white issue. There need to be safeguards to ensure elderly relatives are able to make the decision themselves rather than the children making it for them, with perhaps ulterior motives.

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Graham Burns says: @tobyberesford does have a good point - there is always a risk that people could have an anxiety that they are a burden and it would be easier if they end their life. Furthermore, vulnerable people could be at risk of influence of carers who do not have their best interests at heart. However, Dignitas has proven there is a way to make this process work. So long as regulation is strict I think it could work.

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Coby Chafets says: People should be allowed to control when their life ends as much as they are physically able to. Who am I to say how great their life is, or how much they are "obligated" to live? It's not my call.

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Toby Beresford says: I just worry people would 'feel they were doing everyone a favour' by asking for assisted suicide. Every person has value, whatever their current circumstance. Just because you think you have no value doesn't mean you don't. Death is very final and mistakes cannot be rectified.

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Alejandro Rivas V. says: The Life is a Gift of GOD. The human being NOT have the autorithy of take it. No war, no assisted suicide, no abort...no death! KEEP LIFE.

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configX says: @pastoralejandrorivas you're entitled to your own opinions and beliefs but don't force your beliefs on others. You can't know what somebody is going through in their particular situation without being in their shoes.

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Podgrove says: The assisted suicide cases in the UK have been interesting to follow and at the same time heart-breaking. The law is in a difficult position and this would be a nightmare law to police. I don't think there are clear moral arguments either way, but humanity must always prefer choice for the individual.

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Firemap_7624 says: If we are giving mother's the choice to decide over their unborn, the law would be inconsistent and unfair to not allow those suffering to make the choice for their own lives and get help in fulfilling their wish.

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Trustmaroon09 says: I think beyond UK law, from a global perspective, in a world where we have choice on everything it is an absolute travesty that we have no choice on how we die.

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Creeknuts says: The current UK law is too fuzzy on who will be prosecuted. Better than to make it formal and let people die with dignity.

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Bangbroccoli says: This poses a major difficulty for doctors, since they can never be truly sure a person really wanted to commit suicide.

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Indigokickb24all says: A doctor's job is to save lives, not take them.

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Muffinaurora says: People should have the right to decide if they want to spend their last months in pain or leave this world sooner.

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Thudfrogs says: I do see your point, @Muffinaurora, but the fact is still that doctors are there to keep people alive. You would need an entirely new system if you want to allow assisted suicide, or a new breed of "death doctors".

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Kitedingo says: That would put a tremendous pressure on doctors, and they shouldn´t be forced to make these decisions.

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Maddy TheMinx says: assisted suicide already exists in a few countries. Doctors here do not think "keep them alive no matter what". They are able to act in the interest of the patient and with clarity of thought that keeps emotions in check. My housemate is a doctor and my sister is a theatre nurse of 30 years. If you ask most medical people the vast majority, irrespective of religion would opt for assisted suicide for themselves if the situation warranted it.

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