Sylvia, I agree that one should beware of persons acting out of good intentions. You can’t cause more harm than death!

It is not an obligation of government or society to facilitate the death of its citizens. The obligation is to help its citizens to lead a satisfactory life. Being dead is not that.

Your last statement perfectly illustrates the dangers of legislated suicide. You’ve already extended the debate to the disabled! 30 years ago the idea of a doctor assisting in a suicide was shocking. Now you’re talking about helping paraplegics top themselves! How do we legislate for this Sylvia? Do we have a waiting period like for a sex-change operation? How long? Can we have a choice as to our method of death? I want to be hung, shot, stabbed. Where will the goal posts be then? Will the debate centre on whether or not consent is required? You probably scoff but you need to look no further than the Netherlands.

Unfortunately Sylvia not every doctor or family member can be trusted to act in the best interests of the person in question. Monetary constraints, monetary gain, stress and any number of other issues will influence whether someone lives or dies. No mentally ill person should ever be told that suicide is an option.