A Duty To Die?

[TheDaddy]

I have to admit feeling a little queasy when I first read the article, especially as I was listening to people on the radios opinions as I drove home, my first thoughts were that this woman is Hitler's daughter and that it'd be insane to license people to 'put others down' but her choice of language aside, she raises some interesting points about peoples right to choose, although considering her age I wonder how she'd feel if it were one of her kids being 'put down'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...ty-to-die.html

[Graham M]

The Woman is 84, say no more.

So?Hardly means her views are not valid...She has a right to her opinions whatever age as is anyone else.

It's a highly emotive and divisive subject..and will never become enshrined in law as such..It will always be an 'underground' issue that is never acknowledged as happening but probably frequently does happen.

I can understand anyone contemplating it for themselves or a loved one.The trouble is once you start on the slippery slope where does it end?The parameters can start off being sharply and tightly defined but all too soon will be 'stretched'.

What a crock thats all I have to say on the matter.

In the case dying in severe pain maybe but just because someone needs caring for not a chance

A "duty to die" in order to make things easier for other people and the state is absolutely wrong and is both a disgusting and ridiculous thing to say. If a person themself chooses to request euthenasia for valid medical reasons then i don't have a problem so long as very stringent procedures are in place to ensure it is only that persons wishes and capacity to make that request that are taken into account. This idea of family members being able to choose when someone can be "put down" scares the hell out of me and is not something i would ever support in any shape or form.

Yes people get old and they require more care and yes they get medical problems that can be hard to bear for family and friends but isn't part of being family and a good friend that you look after those that need it at times they need it. Also as has been said this might start off small but it will grow into something abhorent and far reaching. Taking myself as an example i have a degenerative illness which means i will require more care as i get older so why wait give me the shot now and save all that hassle.

This is wrong and the fact someone in her position is even talking like this is a worrying thing for me

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Graham M

The Woman is 84, say no more.

She has an awful lot of influence with those that matter, to write of her comments with a 'say no more' because of her age doesn't really challange the issue, after all John Mccain is 107 and could well be 'leader of the free world soon'

---------- Post added at 21:44 ---------- Previous post was at 21:39 ----------

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

A "duty to die" in order to make things easier for other people and the state is absolutely wrong and is both a disgusting and ridiculous thing to say. If a person themself chooses to request euthenasia for valid medical reasons then i don't have a problem so long as very stringent procedures are in place to ensure it is only that persons wishes and capacity to make that request that are taken into account. This idea of family members being able to choose when someone can be "put down" scares the hell out of me and is not something i would ever support in any shape or form.

Yes people get old and they require more care and yes they get medical problems that can be hard to bear for family and friends but isn't part of being family and a good friend that you look after those that need it at times they need it. Also as has been said this might start off small but it will grow into something abhorent and far reaching. Taking myself as an example i have a degenerative illness which means i will require more care as i get older so why wait give me the shot now and save all that hassle.

This is wrong and the fact someone in her position is even talking like this is a worrying thing for me

I agree with everything you say in particular about some one in her position using such language and if it ever coming to pass about stringent procedures being in place to prevent abuse.

It's also interesting to note that it 'scares' you, I wonder how many elderly people she has scared with these comment? Especially those who faught against the Nazi's who agreed wholeheartedly with her sentiments.

A "duty to die" in order to make things easier for other people and the state is absolutely wrong and is both a disgusting and ridiculous thing to say. If a person themself chooses to request euthenasia for valid medical reasons then i don't have a problem so long as very stringent procedures are in place to ensure it is only that persons wishes and capacity to make that request that are taken into account. This idea of family members being able to choose when someone can be "put down" scares the hell out of me and is not something i would ever support in any shape or form.

Although I agree with you on this, I don't think thats what she said, she still seems to think the choice is with the indivdual. Let's be clear, she is not in any way suggesting that other people can choose when someone else dies.

I don't agree with her though, I feel that although the idea may be valid her statement almost suggests that old people are a burden and they, themselves, should consider it. I feel this would be an awful suggestion for those people to hear, that they should consider killing themselves for the good of society or their family. It's basically suggesting they are a unwanted burden, although dementia is awful it's not a good view IMO.

[Stuart]

Should people be killed just because they are a burden? It's not a simple question, but I'd say no.

I think people should be given the *right* to die if they are in great pain or distress. I have to admit, I am not sure what should happen if they are judged mentally unfit and have a member of their family or a friend making decisions for them (e.g. Britney Spears), should that person have the right to decide to die or should their guardian have the right to decide for them?

Killing people just because they are a burden is wrong though. Where does it end? Do you start killing because they are black? Gay? Jewish?

Hang on, I think I see a pattern here.

[haydnwalker]

I think if a person is in great pain/distress then they should be able to choose to die (obviously if its a long term illness). Though if they dont have the capacity (mental or physical) to communicate this properly, then they should be cared for by family/friends.

The suggestion of people being "licensed" to "put people down" is plain wrong in my opinion

[SMG]

It obviously depends on the persons belief, & right to terminate his or her own life. If someone is in great pain, or extremely ill & dependant, then they should have the right to euthanasia.

However, for the state to decide, no. Doctors do make these decisions every day, but only for the good of the patient, not the public.

I do think that eventually it will become compulsory to terminate , "disabled" babies, (sorry for the term, there are too many ailments & deformities to list) before they are born, & it may come to doctors "not treating" elderly patients who would require continual help, & costly drugs.

When people who contribute to society get old & need help, they should get it. Thats what they worked for, fought for, & paid for in national insurance contributions.

I would however, terminate dangerous criminals with mental health problems, serial rapists, murderers & pedophiles etc, no problem.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by SMG

However, for the state to decide, no. Doctors do make these decisions every day, but only for the good of the patient, not the public.

I am sure you are right about that, I wonder how many times they give a patient morphine to relieve pain knowing that the dose will probably kill them and tbh when the person is in that much pain, perhaps it is kinder.

Some thing else that made me wonder in light of this thread, is that a friend of mine died recently and being young, the hospital staff really did try everything to save him, far, far above and beyond, I can't praise them highly enough, it makes me wonder though, if he had been 60 odd for instance whether they'd have tried as hard?

[georgepomone]

I knew something like this would happen. I'm 64 this year, before I'm able to draw anything they will send me a gun to shoot myself.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by georgepomone

I knew something like this would happen. I'm 64 this year, before I'm able to draw anything they will send me a gun to shoot myself.

No need to worry, if the Baroness gets her way the government will make a few quid out of the licences, send some one round to do it for you, thus creating jobs, plus you get put out of your misery, without cashing your pension or draining the NHS, every ones a winner

[georgepomone]

Like it, didn't think of that.
George

There are some thnings that people may discuss in private and that is where it should stay and this is definately one of them i find the whole idea disgusting and repulsive and is not a discussion we should be having in this country in this day and age.