A Duty To Die?

[Pierre]

Can we just call it for what it is?

Assisted Suicide.

Originally Posted by Pierre

Can we just call it for what it is?

Assisted Suicide.

Labour activisty type (possibly the bill’s sponsor, I don’t know) got very cross during the debate when someone in the debate dared to use the ‘S’ word. Very telling that they don’t want it known for what it is.

Edit … here’s the clip.

https://x.com/josh_self_/status/1862...56-Kgau3lzowJw

[Pierre]

Whether the professional in the room, gives you a rope, gun or syringe, the result is the same.

As I say, I am sympathetic to certain arguments.

But this bill is not good enough.

Originally Posted by Mr K

If we're talking about the last hours/ days of life and avoiding that being in agony, who can object? Dogs get better treatment.

As I understood it, you have to have (or at least supposedly have) less than 6 months to live

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Mr K

If we're talking about the last hours/ days of life and avoiding that being in agony, who can object? Dogs get better treatment.

Put like that no one can but if you actually stop and think about it properly it becomes a very different proposal, for instance how long will it be before someone who isn't terminally ill screams discrimination and the law changes to accommodate them? Think that's unlikely, just look at Holland where that exact thing happened.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Paul

As I understood it, you have to have (or at least supposedly have) less than 6 months to live

But from what I’ve understood, trying to make an accurate prognosis of that length in nigh on impossible.

It’s like predicting the weather.

[Anonymouse]

There are pros and cons.

Pro (a bit cynical, perhaps): the person doesn't cost the NHS more than the injection. It frees up a bed, and they are short of them. Plus organ donation? For me, when I clock out, in the unlikely event I have anything useful by then, I say let it be used.

Con: if this option had been available years ago, we might not have had Stephen Hawking. He lasted years longer than predicted. I fondly remember him in ST: TNG, "Descent part 1", getting the better of Data, Newton and Einstein on the holodeck.

Pro: the person is relieved of suffering. I don't think they should suffer longer than they have to. Isn't it more civilised to let them choose?

Con: what if the person's in a coma and/or unfit to decide?

I honestly don't know. I do think the right to live as long as you want to includes the right to die when you want to - but there must be safeguards.

Hawking’s thoughts on the matter - quite nuanced.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/p...g-9611930.html

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Pierre

But from what I’ve understood, trying to make an accurate prognosis of that length in nigh on impossible.

It’s like predicting the weather.

As evidenced by one of the bills biggest supporters, Esther Rantzen, who went on a bit of a guilt trip a while back saying she wouldn't be here for the debate only now to be telling everyone how surprised she is to still be here.

[Itshim]

Bottom line for me is what has it got to do with anyone else. And think of the trama, it saves the train driver, person that finds a body hanging, ( yes I have) etc. The cost argument doesn't hold water , 6 months less cost to NHS far out weighs any cost.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Itshim

Bottom line for me is what has it got to do with anyone else. And think of the trama, it saves the train driver, person that finds a body hanging, ( yes I have) etc. The cost argument doesn't hold water , 6 months less cost to NHS far out weighs any cost.

So anyone that wants to kill themselves ……just let them do it?


That’s a bit sick, well….. a lot sick.

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by Pierre

So anyone that wants to kill themselves ……just let them do it?


That’s a bit sick, well….. a lot sick.

To be fair those that really want to kill themselves do. I know this is a different subject though and more likely linked to mental illness that terminal illnesses. Most attempted suicides are cries for help

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

To be fair those that really want to kill themselves do. I know this is a different subject though and more likely linked to mental illness that terminal illnesses. Most attempted suicides are cries for help

I've been looking into this lately and the
problem is that a lot don't know how to do it properly. They either end up having a slow terrible death or survive and are disabled as a result of the damage caused by their attempt.

This is a subject that i"m torn on. I have sympathy for those that say that God should choose when we leave this Earth and (as I believe that the meaning of life is for us to learn and, hopefully, grow from lifes experiences, both good and bad), having a terrible death may be something that it was intended for us to learn from.

On the other hand, we put animals to sleep in preference to letting them suffer. To prolong their suffering just so that we can spend a little more time with them is extremely selfish and i've had to do this myself on more than one occasion.

My view on this subject is also influenced by the fact that I have had proof that death isn't final, so the subject isn't as daunting for me as it is for someone who believes that it is truly the end.

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

To be fair those that really want to kill themselves do. I know this is a different subject though and more likely linked to mental illness that terminal illnesses. Most attempted suicides are cries for help

Totally agree with that. Depending if someone goes through with it but saved by some reason, that's not a cry for help.

My neighbour went through a bit of a crisis, the person would knock on my door and say "I've taken a lot of pills" etc. So I had to call 999. This kind of thing is a classic kind of cry for help. This is certainly classed as a mental health issue and a cry for help, this actually happened numerous times.

But if you have no quality of life, and in severe constant pain etc but not terminal. Fully aware of the intentions because enough is enough, then shouldn't that also be discussed? That's nothing to do with a mental health issue.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

To be fair those that really want to kill themselves do. I know this is a different subject though and more likely linked to mental illness that terminal illnesses. Most attempted suicides are cries for help

Agreed.