Euthanasia what are your thoughts

[runkid]

I am interested to no where people stand on this subject.

[saadia]

I am against it.

[runkid]

Why?

[saadia]

because I believe that it is not our decision to make. As a Muslim I believe that we do not have the right to take our own lives.

[Hassled]

My father and grandmother had senile dementia - which makes me worry that I will end up that way - and I would love to know that someone would be able to legally euthanase me if I became senile, provided I had written that was what I wanted beforehand. I live in absolute dread of ending my days not knowing who or where I am (or rather, I live in dread of my kids having to see me like that), and would love to see euthanasia made legal. With all the proper safeguards of course.

[runkid]

I certainly respect that is part of your religion.
I dont see why we should suffer and i believe it is our choice and no one elses. Why should we live in pain and suffering

[alipiggie]

I believe in it - strictly controlled. Having seen my Grandad give up the will to live in hospital yet survive (well the body) for 18 weeks because by law they were obliged to keep the feeding tube in - I wished we could have just let him go to sleep. We're strange aren't we - we think nothing of euthanising a dying/suffering beloved pet yet baulk at the doing the same for our suffering humans. I appreciate it's a very very fine line between ending suffering and what could be called murder, but surely we could have strict protocols. They do in The Netherlands.

[runkid]

Hassled- I would also love to see it made legal. It would be nice to know that i would not have to end my days suffering or not knowing who i was.

[losty]

As for saadia I too am against it for relgious reasons. I am a Christian.

however, I have a dh with a life threatening illness and 2 DSs with serious health issues, so if it ever came to a sitation where they were 'being kept' alive I suspect my faith would be tested

[DarrellRivers]

I believe in it , but we need proper legislation to protect ALL the parties involved

[runkid]

It is heartbreaking watching your nearest and dearest suffer i am not religous either. I just cant understand why anyone would want to suffer or watch somebody going through hell

[saadia]

I think some of the arguments in favour are very compelling. I really do sympathise with anyone who finds themself, or their family, with such low quality of life that they would choose death.

But, religious reasons aside, it would concern me very much if euthanasia was legalised because I don't know how you could ever really ensure that a person's life wasn't taken against their will. Also, how would you make sure that they were in a rational state of mind to make that decision. Also, doctors sometimes get it wrong, cures for illnesses may be found, how do you decide which illnesses "merit" euthanasia. And particularly say, in America, where healthcare is paid for by insurance companies - are they really to be trusted?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Euthanasia in the Netherlands is not without controversy, there have been invididuals of the age of 12 who have asked to be euthanised. How would UK society address that issue amongst many?.

Some people are understandably afraid and also intimidated by medical staff. Some are also unaware of what to ask for and what resources there actually are to help terminally ill patients. Proper communication and reassurance is needed badly by the patient and their family.

My uncle had I would term a "good death" - he died in the pallitive care unit of the Royal Marsden surrounded by his family. The only medical care he received in the last few days was purely pallitive.

I am of the opinion that if pallitive care was given the funding it truly deserves you would not be seeing so many people seeking euthanasia as a way out of their own suffering or having to go abroad to end their own life.

[aDad]

i am for it

[meysey]

I am for it. A relative who has very severe dementia has been kept alive by feeding tube and not been able to talk or do anything for themselves (they are incontinent etc) for years. Sadly they did not know they could end up in this state and had not discussed it, though medics are under no obligation to observe people's wishes to die. My relative has no quality of life at all and as far as I can see is just suffering.

Another relative was begging for extra drugs towards the end of his life to put them out of their misery. No-one would give them.

Palliative care certainly needs more investment, but the problem is there is a grey area towards the end of life. If people are given all the drugs they need to keep them pain free then it inevitably shortens their life, and medics are fearful of being accused of this, so don't do it. Also those who are religious - and often medical staff are - impose their views on other who don't share them.

[DetentionGrrrl]

having seen a loved one die from cancer only cemented my belief that everyone has a right to die. if i end up with a terrible disease, i will kill myself when the time comes. If i have something which will render me unable, i will make other provisions. DP and i have agreed that we will look after each if the worst happens. A dog is put down if it's in pain, yet humans are forced to 'exist', a shell of themselves and in pain. It's wrong IMO.

[Monkeytrousers]

I think it's one of the most humane services you could offer. Dying isn't easy.

It does need to be properly managed and regulated of course.

[Mycupoverrunswithlove]

I am broadly for it, with the right controls. I do have some concerns about how it would be implemented, and what mistakes might be made. But these are minor in comparison to my belief that dying in this country is often an awful experience of being in pain, without hope and in hospital, and slowly fading away
I know I would prefer to chose my time of going, and would want that for my loved ones as well

[saadia]

I think (from watching ER) that in some cases people can request that they be allowed to die and not be given treatment which would prolong their life.

I think there is a difference between withholding treatment and therefore letting someone die, and actually giving a person something that will end their life - the latter is what worries me.

[wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe]

I do believe that a person suffering from a terminal illness should be allowed to die with dignity, so in principle I am for it. I?m not sure though whether one should be allowed to make the decision to allow a loved one to die. I would have concerns that people would be encouraged for instance to have their disabled babies euthanased because of their potential lack of quality of life, or be able to euthanase a child that is born with a debilitating condition once it reaches the age where it can no longer live a full life. And would people be more likely to want euthanasia for their elderly relatives rather than have to put them into care?

If euthanasia were implemented in this country, it should be on the basis that you could only be helped to die if you expressed a written wish to die should you reach a certain state in your illness. Yes a lot of people wouldn?t want to live in such a state, but some people don?t necessarily want to be helped on their way, which is why it would be a personal thing IMO

[expatinscotland]

Absolutely. It is a person's right to die with dignity under their own conditions b/c it is THEIR life and body.

[grouchyoscar]

I feel that it has to be a soely personal choice. If life has become to painful to endure I believe you have a right to choose to leave tis world.

A friend of mine (also a muslim) lost a relative through Motor Neurone Disease. She said it was so awful to watch her loved one deteriorate that she understood why people see a value in euthanasia.

I am living with MS. I'm fortunate as after 10 years it hasn't impacted too much. I have told DH that any serious deterioration and I'd appreciate the option of getting off this ride called life

[runkid]

I agree that more should be put into pallative care and that a patient/person has the right to refuse treatment that is keeping them alive.

I also think that we should be able to have some legal document stating that we dont want to be kept alive if say we develop dementia etc in later life.