General Chat

after watching five of my family and at least one inlaw suffering with cancer . and finally after a very painful slow illness them dying my answer is yes it should be legal to ease someones suffering . they put animals to sleep to ease their suffering,as it is not right to see animals suffering in pain , then why do some people still see it as wrong to ease the suffering of a fellow human being .

Remember Diane Pretty? That courageous lady who wanted to die with dignity rather than end up choking and struggling for breath? She was denied that opportunity, and it is said, ended her days choking and struggling for breath. I wonder what she'd say now.

Yes,Yes,Yes Agree with Marion from Scotland. Ann

In principal, I think that it should be available for the individual....... however: My husband died of Huntington's Disease last year. When it was first diagnosed - some 17 years ago - he presumed that when the disease got 'too bad' he would be helped to die. I told him this was not the case, the best he could hope for was for his life not to be prolonged. But as the disease progressed he became fearful of not surviving and wanted very much to live every moment, even though his quality of life was greatly diminished and he lived his last years being totally dependent upon his carers. If he had made a decision that he should have an assisted death in the earlier part of the disease, would he have been able to rescind this, given that his powers of communication became non exsistant during his last 5 years?

Yes, I do, but only if the person concerned has given prior consent witnessed by at least two people - one medically qualified and one legally qualified. I would give my consent to anyone ending unbearable pain, if I ever became that ill. Having seen in my childhood how my father suffered for many months before he died, I wouldn't want anyone to have to see the same thing happen to me and to know the same feelings of guilt, frustration and helplessness at being unable to do anything about it that I felt at that time. If they can put animals out of their misery, they can do it to me, preferably before things get too bad. CB >|<

I think if we are honest any decent Doctor practises it now! Im sure if a Doctor saw someone in extreme suffering like my Dad was that he or she gives them a little something to help them on their way ! A Vet wouldnt let an animal suffer so why should a Doctor be any different? Davex

Yes I do. Must done in the right way All legalities done correctly no way in for abuse. But after seeing loved ones pass away in agony with no hope I just hope I don't have to suffer as they did. Germaine x

Yes Still have horrific memories of my dear MIL dying of lung cancer. An animal would have had a more dignified passing. For a very proud and ladylike woman to suffer like that, was heartbreaking for the whole family.

Yes,I do in certain circumstances. I would hate to be kept alive by a machine, its unnatural!! I would also hate to be a burden on my family or care workers, in my opinion if you are in such a situation were you can not function as a human being, its for the best, with of course prior written permission from a patient,I have made my wishes very clear to my loved ones.

I am with Bendy Wendy!! i dont think it should!! Helenxx

I would like to add yes as well, having watched a very close blood relative pass away, he didn't want to live any longer, so they then kept him sedated and withdrew ALL FLUIDS, it is devastating to watch. Euthanasia should be legal with strict guidelines along with a living will in place.

In certain circumstances, yes. I also think doctors try too hard to keep alive those who have or will have no quality of life. Gwynne

Having witnessed close family die slowly - YES

Absolutely not.

Yes I do!! A good friend of mine died with AIDS and it was horrific watching the pain he was going through! We would be prosecuted if we let an animal suffer in that way. I think if there is absolutely no cure and it is what the individual wants then they should be allowed to die with dignity! When my friend was at his worse he begged me to help him stop the pain.... sometimes I wish I'd had the courage to do so!! If euthanasia was legalised in this country it would stop the pressure on many families.....the guilt I felt after he had died because (by law) I couldnt help him was unbelievable! Bev x

I see your point about killing, Wulliam, but there comes a point when being kept alive at any cost, or existing in misery is no fun. Some would like an alternative.

This is not a simple question. Believing or not believing isn't quite as easy as it sounds. There are emotional issues that can be resolved. Do I want my father (who has cancer) to die with dignity and with no pain? Yes of course I do. Do I want his money and house now so I can resolve my financial problems? Maybe. I don't, but I'm just posing other reasons. And who decides? A very emotional family? The doctor who may want to go on holidays and finds his patient an inconvenience? A board of doctors and lawyers? The legalities are the big issues that must be resolved, the emotional side is almost the easy bit. Susan

Yes... with safeguards put in place. Jean x.

We don't let pets suffer so why do we let humans? I think if a person has written a LIVING WILL that they have a right to die as they wish! xx

Yes, if someone is dying anyway, let them die with dignity.