Then only allow a specialist separate other than normal hospital carers, nurses and doctors to employ euthanasia- and only on the grounds of being summoned by the patient or if the patient is incapable of doing so, proof of a previous clause of intent to die in such situations had been expressed by the patient- and see how that goes.
Or utilize additional training and accountability procedures to ensure hospital staff do not extend euthanasia without consent of patients (especially at point of about to perform the procedures).
Limitless possibilities to prevent abuse.

Also, I'm interested about your story about the nurse- he WANTED to give a lethal dose of morphine (which he expressed to you verbally I presume), but would not elaborate a motive?

And you haven't elaborated more on the circumstances of the Dutch cases.
(except refer another one of disabled infantacide without parental permission, at least).

Oh, but I love this one;
"We hear lots of talk about "choice" in euthanasia. Couldn't the paedophiles, DV perpetrators and thieves make the same claim? "It's my choice". This is the logical conclusion of a "choice" ethic."

Now that's just childish and playing dumb- you know who's choice Euthanasia advocates endorse. I'm not even sure you can even grasp this issue properly as you actually DO keep walking into every bigoted presupposition I lay out.

You want a "rational discussion" but your irrational Malcolm-King-style statements makes this quite impossible. Instead we have a large group of kindergarten teachers trying had to educate two or three irrational kids.

But do prove me wrong!

The only reason that euthanasia remains illegal in Australia, despite overwhelming public support, is that both major political parties are captive to the insidious and undemocratic dictates of the Christian churches.

End of story.

CJ is forever bagging Christianity, but other religions oppose suicide and euthanasia. For example,

Do not take life, which Allah made sacred, other than in the course of justice.
Qur'an 17:33

Allah decides how long each of us will live

When their time comes they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward by a single hour.
Qur'an 16:61

And no person can ever die except by Allah's leave and at an appointed term.
Qur'an 3:145

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/islamethics/euthanasia.shtml

I support voluntary euthanasia, but I see no worth in abusing opponents as Christian zealots or dupes when many have very real concerns that need to be acknowledged and addressed.

With the prejudice being shown against 'older' people (now 40+!) in employment, the encouragement through wedge politics of jealousy directed against 'Boomers' for their houses and assets and the politics being played about increasing age pension and health costs, it is easy to see why some people would be concerned about possible initiatives to free up hospital beds and lower health and pension costs. This can be done by making older people feel even less valued and needed than is presently the case. Yes, that would be a bit of a stretch (sic) but there are some commentators abroad who are equal to that task.

Then there are the greedy relatives wanting the inheritance sooner rather than later. Medical costs can wipe out an inheritance in a very short time and bang goes the new Beamer or holiday funded by Gran's life savings through austerity.

So yes, it is reasonable to expect that some would need a lot of convincing before agreeing to voluntary euthanasia and more so where they have never had any personal experience of the cruelty of some mental (as mentioned by one poster) and physical illnesses.

Cornflower, I know comprehension isn't your forte, but are you suggesting that the major political parties take anything like as much notice of the sensibilities of Australian Muslims with respect to euthanasia as they do the highly organised and effective Christian lobby?

I congratulate David Swanton on his thought provoking, reasoned and compassionate article.

Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Euthanasia is a group formed with the aim of showing our MPs there are many thinking Christians included in the 4 out of 5 people in Australia who support having the choice of having an assisted death, when faced with a hopeless or terminal illness and suffering that cannot be relieved. (Newspoll 2007). We seek to counter the vocal Christian minority who oppose what we perceive as compassionate and caring legislation. Check out our website: www.Christiansforve.org.au

To suggest that those supporting voluntary euthanasia do not understand the meaning is an attempt to mislead. The question asked by Newspoll was, "Thinking now about voluntary euthanasia. If a hopelessly ill patient, experiencing unrelievable suffering, with absolutely no chance of recovering asks for a lethal dose, should a doctor be allowed to provide a lethal dose, or not?" 47% said yes to a similar question in 1962, and support has risen steadily since then, to 85% Australia-wide in 2009.

Comments and reports on the situation in the Netherlands from 20 years ago are outdated, as the laws there were changed in 2002. Belgium and Luxembourg now also have legal assisted dying.

Eleven years experience with Physician assisted Dying in Oregon, USA, has shown a system that assists the dying, with no evidence of abuse, and arguably the best palliative care available in USA – surely a win for everybody. Washington State has now joined Oregon, after a referendum, and Montana after a court case on individual rights.

CJ Morgan

I am suggesting that once again you have dropped back into your familiar rut and your prejudice is showing.

What about giving your parlour games of labelling and provoking fights a rest for a while and join in the discussion?