The right to die

[Kwacky]

I see this thorny topic is back before the Courts today.

The High Court is to begin hearing the legal challenge of a terminally ill man who wants the right to die.

Noel Conway, who is 67 and has motor neurone disease, wants a doctor to be allowed to prescribe a lethal dose when his health deteriorates further.

He said he wanted to say goodbye to loved ones "at the right time, not to be in a zombie-like condition suffering both physically and psychologically".

Any doctor who helped him to die would face up to 14 years in prison.

Mr Conway, of Shrewsbury, told the BBC: "I will be quadriplegic. I could be virtually catatonic and conceivably be in a locked-in syndrome - that to me would be a living hell. That prospect is one I cannot accept."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40615778" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm a supporter of it. You can make a lot of big decisions. If you're able you can take your own life.

[Cav]

I'm a big supporter of it too - you can put a dog down to end its suffering so why not a human.

A dog is deemed as a possession, if we don't have that choice about our own lives then they are saying that we are not in possession of our own lives - we have no control of our destiny which is morally wrong IMO

[D41]

I have some 'grave' concerns over the subject.

[Kwacky]

[D41]

You've got to wonder though.....I mean, people worry about airplanes being dangerous, and the sign above the door clearly states "Terminal" before you even get on the fcuker.
It's not like the airlines don't give you any advance warning or nowt...??

[Deegee]

There has to be a legal framework that can be constructed whereby a human being has their right to life or death upheld.
I don't doubt no lawmaker wishes their name on such a piece of legislation, but at some point we have to find a way to make this happen and work.

[Jack]

It needs careful wording in whatever legislation is eventually passed and it needs to be discriminatory as I dont believe its moral or ethical to ask for a doctor to assist a perfectly healthy person to make an exit from this existence , and there is the minefield of mental illness I am well aware that this can have a devastating effect on peoples lives to the point where they often consider taking their own lives . Tough issues that I think need to be considered on an individual case by case basis , but who would want that kind of responsibility ?

[Cav]

It's such a complex issue that I don't think anyone fully appreciates.. while person A may believe points X and Y apply, Personal B may only believe points Y and Z apply. You've obviously got the moral argument to have, then there's the legal, then there's the consideration of mental vs physical well-being.

Who's to say if someone has a mental illness that they aren't capable of making that decision? Who's to say whether someone with locked-in syndrome is or isn't communicating their wishes?

It's tough.. really tough. Abortion is straight forward in comparison to this...

[Monty]

Extremely complex decision to make, I just wish certain parties would keep religion out of it. (and out of abortion for that matter)

Actually, I'd be happier if they just left religion out full stop.

[Cav]

I'd be happier if they just left religion out full stop.

Here, here!

[Deegee]

I'd be happier if they just left religion out full stop.

Here, here!

I would like to be associated with the above comments.

[D41]

Religion = Santa Claus for `grown-ups'.

....Who'd rather not grow any more...../

[C00kiemonster]

I'm riding a bike or car off Beachy Head when I've had enough and all my faculties are almost not working. Being kept alive or not having the choice to die if you are sound mind and have medical issues is wrong.

It should be a clear choice in law with safeguards in place.

[Monty]

Can I have your car?

[C00kiemonster]

Can I have your car?

Depends what i use off the cliff

[StMarks]

I wonder how long it will be before we start to see some sort of state sanctioned cull of incurables.
Dwindling resources coupled with exponentially increasing human populations will presumably force the issue to be looked at with ever increasingly pitiless perspectives. Soylent Green anyone.?
That is, of course, unless Mr Trump (or some other catastrophic even) doesn't change the current pressures.

[duke63]

I wonder how long it will be before we start to see some sort of state sanctioned cull of incurables.
Dwindling resources coupled with exponentially increasing human populations will presumably force the issue to be looked at with ever increasingly pitiless perspectives. Soylent Green anyone.?
That is, of course, unless Mr Trump (or some other catastrophic even) doesn't change the current pressures.

Can we start with politicians?
Then Americans.
Then Brexitards.

Just think how much better that would make the world.

[Deegee]

Not necessarily every politician, just the ones that can't answer straight questions, have lied in their professional capacity, or have not fulfilled manifesto promises. Oh, hang on, doesn't that mean.....

No quibbles about yanks and brexitwats though.

[Monty]

Can I have your car?

Depends what i use off the cliff

Let me know when your ready, I'll buy you a Vespa with sh!t loads of mirrors!

[D41]

World population growth rate is a little over 1% per year....the rate for the UK is half that.
Y'all will adapt just fine.