MaryE “And please cut the sarcasm, it only makes you look juvenile, and says more about you than the people you target it at Thank you.”

“Sarcasm” is my natural response to being patronized… if it offends you I suggest you structure your posts in a less patronizing way.

Suzeonline “I will make any point I want to on this debate Col, whether you like it or not.”

Make whatever points you wish suzeonline…

Just remember, I too claim the same right as yourself,

regardless of how “precious” you think your view is.

suzeonline “....euthanasia was legal.
As for the suicides....”

Will someone please explain to me the difference between:

“(Voluntary) Euthanasia”

And

“Suicide”

Because, for the life (oh how ironic a word to use) of me,

I am at a loss to distinguish the difference.

ColR - Voluntary euthanasia is someone being assisted to die by someone else, while suicide is killing yourself with no help from anyone else. Simple really.

Hello Anansi, at no stage did I write or imply that "modern medicine is always of benefit or alleviates mental illness for all sufferers". There are many medical techniques these days, both with and without drugs (depending on the patient and circumstances), that can help relieve depression for a great many people. Many people can get quite quick relief while many more get relief after many months or years of effort. Some people never get relief, no matter what they try. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is simple and easy regarding mental illness. People have "romanticised" death on this topic. By "romanticised" (I've explained this previously) I mean they think that death via self administered euthanasia is peaceful and calm, just like the deaths you see on some of the old Hollywood movies where people gently close their eyes , softly turn their head and bingo! They're dead. I've seen hundreds of deaths first hand. The act of death is almost always NOT like the romanticised Hollywood version. A botched euthanasia attempt can EASILY result in a death that is horrendously painful, drawn out and distressing for the person attempting it. With a medical presence, within the context of legalised euthanasia, and at a suitable location, the chances of a botched euthanasia attempt are GREATLY reduced. That's one of the reasons why I fully support legalised euthanasia for terminally ill patients. Thank you.

The current practice of withdrawing treatment and/or food and water is quite cruel. It's kind of like euthanasia via the backdoor. However, it's often not as cruel as letting the terminally ill patient go through with their illness until a natural death occurs. That's why treatment etc is withdrawn. This happens almost everyday in many Australian hospitals. Both the withdrawal of treatment, and letting nature take it's course, are cruel. If the patient prefers either of these two things, then the patient's will must prevail.

I believe the answer is legalised euthanasia for the terminally ill. It must be SOLELY the patient's choice, with extremely strict guidelines in place. The patient must be of sound mind. The euthanasia must happen under appropriate medical supervision. I repeat, for the terminally ill ONLY. I see this as the most humane alternative, but no matter how the patient leaves this world, it should be the patient's choice. Right now, they are inhumanely denied the choice of legalised euthanasia for the terminally ill.

Hello Col Rouge, your sarcasm doesn't offend me one tiny little bit. I pointed out that it makes you appear juvenile and that it probably reflects on you more than the people you target it at, because I feel it's a bit sad that someone has the need to be so rude to people. Maybe if you try to be a bit nicer towards people who disagree with you, it'll make you feel a bit better about yourself. I've found in life that often when people abuse others they are actually crying out for help without realising it. I wish you well Col, and don't forget that thinking about the feelings of others is an aid to communication, not an impediment. But then again, I've found on this site that quite a few people aren't interested in communication, they're more interested in having their opinion dominate. Thank you.

It looks like common sense has won out

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/14/2656648.htm?section=justin