The author is seemingly convinced by the apparently logical arguments of Singer and Nitschke as if their logic is somehow without the influence of value systems. He is concerned about religion influencing politicians judgment but unconcerned about the influence of atheism. It too is a belief system.

Nitschke once proposed a suicide kit for the supermarket. He is happy to help healthy pain free people commit suicide and did so in 2009.
Remember, many people who wished they were dead were glad to live through these times. Such people are not in a clear state of mind and can make poor decisions. Yet Nitschke does not care. He'll send anyone off. Just say the word.

Singer believes sex with animals is OK as long as they both like it! What an unbelievably stupid person.

Be careful who you hold up as heroes, particularly in such critical issues.

"My grandma is nearing the end and she may want to go her own way. Will the government force her to keep on breathing until her tired heart finally gives up?"

Has it crossed your mind to ask her what she thinks about all of this? You did quote others but not her and there is enough research already showing that the medical profession doesn't know much about the old either.

http://www.ciap.health.nsw.gov.au/hospolic/stvincents/1993/a06.html

http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/elderly/depression-in-elderly/menu-id-68/

However it is fair to assume that 'granny' (nice to be slotted into a category so easily!) if treated decently will continue to contribute (that surprise you?) to the family and community of which she is part; will cost less (if that is a bother) through less health care costs if allowed and supported to live independently in her own house; and, may even wish to end her days among her treasured things in her house of the past whatever years, while being in charge of her health and body to the end and with self-administered pain control.

It seems that everyone knows best what is 'needed' for seniors and there are plenty of experts suddenly about, but none is giving a fig's for the broken aged care system. Now that should ring some alarm bells that discrimination is present and active.

One would have thought that those who are now so enthusiastic for the elderly to access their 'right' to euthanasia, would also be lobbying for aged care to be improved and (goodness gracious the next one will come as a surprise) - they might even be demanding that research be done urgently into euthanasia and the aged. No such research has been done for the rather unique Australian context. Who knows, then someone might even get around to involving seniors in the 'consultations' too.

Interesting though how the young do not envisage euthanasia as ever being relevant to them and their friends and sometime soon, it only takes a moment's lack of concentration in a car, or more likely, misadventure with recreational drugs.

Seniors desperately need a champion, a Commissioner for the Aged.

Atman, of course politicians are heavily swayed by religions. Half of our pollies believe in 'sky fairies' and they're actually running the country? How much money do the likes of the Exclusive Brethren pump into the Liberal coffers?

As for atheism being a belief system, maybe it is for some, but I think you'll find that most people who don't believe in god are simply intelligent and well adjusted people who don't really think about god at all. It's not like they go to an atheist church or walk around all day muttering prayers to their 'non-god' entity.

And Cornflower, I know you have the best interests of "granny" at heart, but euthanasia isn't about bumping off just anyone. Granny will have the final say in that if she's of sound mind, but many older people are no longer of sound mind and so they'll continue to be kept in care and given the best quality of life that can be obtained in the currently badly under-funded and under-staffed facilities.

I've already decided that a facility isn't for me and have made plans to exit this beautiful world while I still have a fondness for it. That's my decision and I'll do it at a time appropriate to me.

Yes, it's scary that someone can not only adopt an irrational position but actually proclaim it proudly in public, and still be elected to an office of power and responsibility. But hang in there -- things are slowly changing.

One day I hope you grow up a little Jason and realize how incredibly stupid the denial of your Creator is. You obviously have not thought what an absolute joke the big bang theory is. You need to twist many many logical observations to come up with such rubbish. You seem very indoctrinated with your journalist education. If you are looking to climb the ladder quickly I am sure the ABC would love you to push their dogmas.

Jason may need a real life experience where his life is on the line and someone else will be making decisions for him when it does not matter what age he will be to possibly further his own life understanding families or just survival to further contribute something anything.Is Jason really listening to his grand mother or talked to her about his stance, or in fact any others older than the halfway mark at 50, he might appreciate life more. Maybe gran wants to talk to Jason more too, but rarely sees him?

I am a little surprised to see comments coming dangerously close to suggesting that religious people should not be allowed to hold office in a discussion that is, essentially, about freedom of choice and diversity of belief and opinion.

For the record, I am a Catholic and opposed to euthanasia. I believe it is immoral. That's an easy stance for me to take, however, as someone who is not terminally ill, elderly or living my life in constant pain and fear of an inevitable death that won't come quickly enough. I'd like to think that, when faced with any of these circumstances, I would keep plodding until my time comes. In reality, I can't be so sure. For me, this is purely hypothetical.

Despite my beliefs, I am far from arrogant enough to expect others to follow my system of morality simply because I do. In this matter, I think freedom of choice is appropriate. If others believe that euthanasia is acceptable, justifiable and morally appropriate, then so be it. Who am I, who is a religious authority and who is the state to tell them what they can or can't do with their own lives? Why prevent somebody who can help to end their pain from doing so, if both parties are willing? I am happy to accept the legalisation of euthanasia as a service that I will hopefully be strong enough never to use.

Why don't we call it what it is - suicide ? Yes, legalise it, and put far more into counselling services. Let's get that one out of the way: if you want to do it, do it, and get off the page.

Or is there more to that question ? Are we talking about the involvement of other parties in someone's death ? Are there categories of people who might be euthanased, hopefully with their consent, and therefore would their deaths constitute a form of suicide ? If so, then real-life situations may be far more problematic.

Then, perhaps inadvertently, various proponents of euthanasia let the cat out of the bag by alluding to people in great pain, people in comas, people who are incontinent, people who have reached a certain age, and/or people who have had, or are currently living, lives of poor quality.

So where do we draw the line ? Where is YOUR line ?

Joe

It keeps the Greens in the news when all is quiet on the whale front.

Recently in the WA upper house a Greens initiated conscience vote on voluntary euthanasia failed 24-11.

Heaps easier than working up some integrated policy on aged care. Palliative care? No, not a flicker of interest to be seen, must be hard work.

All care and no responsibility as per usual. It is obviously too much to expect that the rump of Greens Senators would stop playing "Look at moi" (thanks to Kath & Kim) politics and put some of that hard-earned taxes being invested in their salaries, benefits and travel into something meaningful for the nation. Something productive where they have actually done the hard yards in research and policy development.

Where the major parties are always the centre of attention the policies of the Greens do escape scrutiny in the parliament and by the media.

I think its great to see a young person thinking. A young person with a goal.

My life is 3/4 thru and I have only just begun to search for what it is I am meant to do, or be, in life.

We need government to make decisions - you can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you cant please all of the people, all of the time.

Jason will grow up, but lets hope he does not become jaded and apathetic about trying to change the world. We need more young "thinkers" - not more young drunken yobboes society appears to idealise (read footballers here).

Our society will never be perfect (whatever you perceive that to be) - all we can do is strive for a better more meaningful life for future generations.

"Your rights as an individual should not outweigh the responsibility you have towards your fellow man."

Dear Jason,
If you are sincere, seek the truth boldly. Most believe in random chance (evolution) as taught in our education system. I believe in intelligent design (creation) as rubbished by our intelligencia.
The definition of science that I believe is the ability to repeat an idea with the same outcome not the idea that if you can think it it is truth. True science is repeatable not imposing your will on others. God is good. With him all things are possible. Seek the possibility in life, aim for for the stars and you will go far. I leave you with these words God gave to Joshua as he led the people into the promised land "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave nor forsake you. Be strong and very courageous".