Rob, I dont suggest that the matter is trifling at all. But please dont suggest that people cant be swayed by the opinions of others. There can be enormous pressure placed by people on those who are already suffering great physcial and mental strain. Mostly you see this now as an argument against death, trying to convince those suffering to sustain hope for new treatments, miracles, etc. But if euthanasia ia legalised, then who is to say that in some cases there wont be this pressure the other way. Some such as Steve Madden appear to have their heads firmly screwed on, but not everyone in his situation is as mentally stable and resolute. A friend of mine is currently close to the final stages of her cancer, but is determined to hang onto life by the tips of her fingernails if thats what it takes. She has had people around her (including family members) that have been heard to say a number of times that she should just finish is and get it over with, and others that she should just accept the inevitable. She's kicked them out, reasoning that they are only undermining her determination. Again, not everyone is that strong.

My other main worry, is that where do we draw the line. If the terminally ill are able to be assisted to die, what about the elderly? Should they be denied the same dignity? Again, how do you put effective safeguards in place? You say that doctors take an oath not to harm, but there are enough cases in history of doctors that murder patients and otherwise harm them, that this oath alone is not enough to assume the doctor had only pure intentions.

Country Girl terminally ill patients are given choices concerning their treatment all through their illness. You can decide not to be treated and that is legal although that most likely in many cases be a life ending in pain. Medical euthanasia is not a person walking off the street and saying " ok I want to die now" that is already happening in homes. Euthanasia is a suffering person saying " I am suffering please help me". It is hard for us healthy but to say no is to turn our backs on those who want it and condemn them to suffering. As for pain killers there are thresholds and many will derrange the patients in the end. What else can be offered? Prayer? Prayer at worst is used to murder sick children and spouses denying them treatment. Prayer at best to make well wishers feel like there is hope in the case of a dying person is to kill them with pain.
In the end it is ourselves we are talking about and not the suffering. We are saying we dont want to let go but if its what loved ones choose why let their death be an undignified death?

I am just wondering whether MmMm is seeing a different side to euthanasia now that there have been some other points of view presented to him/her.

Personally I think that if we have freedom of choice and we are a free people then we should be free to decide when and if we wish to die, for whatever reason.

If we dont have that right then we do not have freedom of choice and we are being controlled by those that think that they know what is best for us.

Posted by Country Gal, Sunday, 29 October 2006 10:28:08 AM
"A friend of mine is ... determined to hang onto life by the tips of her fingernails ...She's kicked them out... not everyone is that strong."

I think you are arguing my case - people hang onto life tenaciously unless something enormous is against it and if anyone tries to undermine that they will get rid of them. I dont think your relative is exceptional at all - when faced with death all find extraordinary strength.

"My other main worry, is that where do we draw the line."

If an adult person is judged to be sane and not under the influence of some temporary condition by 2 or 3 professional physicians - they should have all options open to them. I would think that its introduction should be progressive with reviews at every stage. There should be cooling off periods. Perhaps it would begin with people over 70 with acute terminal disease. If that works ok make it 60 and so on and see how the culture copes.

I remember when organ transplant were first introduced people said that it was a terrible idea because you would end up having people in third world countries being used as organ banks. This has actually happened with many poor people selling their kidneys, etc. This is abhorrent but the way to stop it is not by disallowing organ transplants.

Rob513264, I am not arguing your point at all. The point that I am trying to make is that this woman has had to cut off contact from her own daughter, who is urging her to "let go" and "accept the inevitable". There are people out there who, for various reasons, will try to convince their family member or friend who is suffering, that it is better to end it now. My point is if one person gives in to this pressure, then we have created a bad thing.