Assisted suicide

[Trogg]

TRIGGER WARNING
(for the snowflakes)



this video shows a very brave man surrounded by family and friends dying the way he wants to.

i am an advocate of assisted suicide, i believe we should be allowed to make that choice, i disagree (and find it disgusting to be honest) that spouses, children and/or friends that have accompanied someone to another country to enable them to end their life the way they want can be arrested and charged for it in this country...as if they haven't been through enough.

 

[Zerkalo]

My sister and brother in law were going on about this as apparently some of the work may fall on GPs if legalised. I don't have too much of an opinion on it myself but was interested in what they were saying.

 

[Arry]

The Author Terry Pratchett was rumoured to have taken that option ( The man on the link picture is Terry) its an ethical can of worms, but it has merits for those suffering, the issue is can it be abused...? Yes certainly which is why it would need some heavy duty safeguards to prevent poor or malicious decisions

 

[spanky]

I have no problem with the concept providing it is properly regulated and reviewed my designated medical professionals and by that I mean not just any old GP.

 

[Zerkalo]

I saw the Pratchett documentary - Choosing To Die - a good watch. I'm not sure what role GPs would have to play but they've been surveyed for their opinions. I guess it would be like most of the work they do, hand problem? See a specialist. Foot problem? Refer to specialist.

 

[muskrat]

I agree entirely with the concept. But I fail to see how our inept and self-serving overlords could ever come up with a foolproof method to properly regulate and police those regulations against all forms of abuse.

 

[62tucker]

One of the greatest things you can do for your pet is put it out of misery at end of its life. Been there. Got the t-shirt.
Wish I had that power watching Mam and Dad suffer in pain at end of their life.

PS. Might sound callous but would save the NHS millions if not billions.
How much does it cost to keep someone alive for their last week of their lives when there is no hope for them.
Been there, got the t-shirts.

 

[N orm]

One of the greatest things you can do for your pet is put it out of misery at end of its life. Been there. Got the t-shirt.
Wish I had that power watching Mam and Dad suffer in pain at end of their life.

PS. Might sound callous but would save the NHS millions if not billions.
How much does it cost to keep someone alive for their last week of their lives when there is no hope for them.
Been there, got the t-shirts.

This

 

[62tucker]

In the future in a overcrowded world why don’t we introduce a MOT for humans.
Pass and
Fail and it’s a
Might shake a few people up into looking after themselves a bit more.

 

[Trogg]

The Author Terry Pratchett was rumoured to have taken that option ( The man on the link picture is Terry) its an ethical can of worms, but it has merits for those suffering, the issue is can it be abused...? Yes certainly which is why it would need some heavy duty safeguards to prevent poor or malicious decisions

Oops, never thought to mention that the Terry in the video was Terry Pratchett

I heard the same rumour Arry, that he had arranged everything shortly after seeing his friend use the Dignitas 'service'

Although his publishers have always denied it (in my opinion due to the ridiculous stigma attatched to suicide) it has always been claimed he did it his way and after all his campaigning to have it legalised in this country it wouldn't really be a surprise.

I saw the Pratchett documentary - Choosing To Die - a good watch.

Watched that myself and i agree, it was a very good watch.

I was a 'late comer' to the fantastic disc world of Terry Pratchett i didn't read the first one untill 1988 but soon caught up....his books, in my opinion are like Arthur C Clarkes, once you start reading you don't want to put it down.

 

[Zerkalo]

I've never read a Pratchett novel myself, only quotes and stuff, I'm not a big reader. But the DiscWorld game was absolutely hilarious and very much based on the books I think.

 

[spanky]

I agree entirely with the concept. But I fail to see how our inept and self-serving overlords could ever come up with a foolproof method to properly regulate and police those regulations against all forms of abuse.

It's actually something that the medical profession is quite good at both in terms of developing a framework and then applying it in complex circumstances. They already have to evaluate expensive treatments for patients so whilst this would be an extension of this, I don't see it as a massive step into the unknown.

I could see a system something like this:

An independent medical specialist (not one who has seen the patient before) meets with the patient and evaluates the patient to confirm:

1) the patient has a confirmed medical diagnosis of a terminal condition that cannot be treated
2) the patient is in terminal decline (i.e. will not get better). There may be a need here to define a minimum life expectancy for this to be acceptable.
3) the patient understands the decision they have made
4) there is no evidence of collusion by relatives

On completion of this evaluation process the specialists presents his findings to a local specially trained judge who will assess whether the correct steps have been taken. If the judge is in agreement then the assisted suicide can proceed.

I'm not saying this is the perfect process, but I could see how something could be developed along these lines.

 

[Arry]

My Dad (god rest him) had a DNR (do not resucitate) notice on his medical notes, he always said "if I'm going I don't wanna hang about" and to be honest if more folks felt that way, then a DNR notice on their notes could save a fortune in NHS costs, that said, as I previously intimated... its a system open to possible abuse... much as I feel the person should have a say in their own end, there needs to be rigorous safeguards, also where does that leave life insurance payouts...? Suicide is not a payable option on life insurance policies...

 

[Maesknoll]

My Dad (god rest him) had a DNR (do not resucitate) notice on his medical notes, he always said "if I'm going I don't wanna hang about" and to be honest if more folks felt that way, then a DNR notice on their notes could save a fortune in NHS costs, that said, as I previously intimated... its a system open to possible abuse... much as I feel the person should have a say in their own end, there needs to be rigorous safeguards, also where does that leave life insurance payouts...? Suicide is not a payable option on life insurance policies...

Suicide is payable in many policies, but there is usually an exclusion period, either 12 or 24 months from policy start date.

 

[PJG]

I must admit that I used to be very much against this, suicide is considered by some to be a mortal sin. However; how can it be right for someone who's health is in serious decline, in constant extreme total pain and have no quality of life to not consent and request assisted suicide?