General Chat

I'd like to hear your views on this :-)

I think it depends on whether YOU think its the right resolution for someone else or whether it's someone else's resolution that it's appropriate for YOU! Jay

I can only speak for myself and say that if there ever was a time when I wanted to bail out, I would hope that a relatively painless, legal solution was there for me as an option. Each to their own. It would be a b*****d to legislate though.

I think that if you are terminally ill and in pain you should be able to die with dignity.

Having made a Living Will I must admit to be in favour. I have a morbid fixation of ending my days , lying on a bed struggling for breath - with my children at the bottom of the bed saying (or thinking) 'Come on Dad, slip away peacefully - make it your last gasp' So I have at least made it easier for my GP to make my departure as easy as possible - pump me full of whatever it is and let nature take it's course. By the way I am quite healthy at present.

How can it ever be right to kill someone? That is not an emotive use of the word 'kill' - rather a factual one. Also, how can doctors kill with one hand and restore with the other? Would you trust a doctor if you were elderly and ill? Folk who sit on fences get splinters. William

I think yes it should be, when there is no hope and Dr's and close family agree. I have told my lot that if I ever get in a really bad way..switch me off! I dont see the point in letting anyone suffer any longer than they have to if there is no hope. Marion

I agree with Lucia on this,if I were in agony and knew I was going to die anyway then I would want to go in my own time,not linger on for ages. Maddy

Actually Maddy even though I say that I'm not sure what I would do if god forbid I was ever that ill. I just know I wouldn't want to die in a hospital with tubes and nurses gathered round.

YES, but with proper safeguards to stop anyone doctors/rellies/governments, taking advantage.

yes without a doubt,its my body and if im that bad put me out my misery,if they legalise then its that persons choice,xxxxxxjoy

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

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

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

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.

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

Absolutely not.

Having witnessed close family die slowly - YES

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