37 replies to this topic

[l'angelo mysterioso]

my heart goes out to him and those who care for him.

he shouldn't be tortured in this way.

[hindle xiii]

Agreed.

Although listening to Jeremy Vine I don't agree with the animal analogies, that seems to be the one-line people stick to.

[Johnoco]

Its not a straightforward area though and opens a huge can of worms. Whilst I have much sympathy for him and on the face of it agree that he should be allowed to die if he wants, we have to look at the wider picture. Where will it lead?

Look at abortion. This was introduced only to be used in extreme cases where maybe the woman was in danger or whatever. Look at it now.

I just have reservations about the whole area. Something that starts out with good intentions often becomes hijacked by those with bad ones.

[MikeW]

Look at abortion. This was introduced only to be used in extreme cases where maybe the woman was in danger or whatever. Look at it now.

You say that as if it's a bad thing

[Johnoco]

You say that as if it's a bad thing

And its good is it? What do you base that on?

[gingerjon]

my heart goes out to him and those who care for him.

he shouldn't be tortured in this way.

His wishes should be respected in such a way as to set no automatic precedent for the assumption of withdrawal of treatment in similar cases.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

And its good is it? What do you base that on?

having an unwanted child is never good, that's why women have the right to choose.
But I agree with your general point,regarding the 'can of worms'

It's a massive ethical and moral conundrum that people sich as Tony Nicklinson present. the trouble is that people like him don't have to wrestle with ethical conundrums, they instead hsave to wrestle with a living hell

[MikeW]

The fact that people's lives aren't ruined by having a child when they don't want to have one due to a mistake.

[MikeW]

having an unwanted child is never good, that's why women have the right to choose.
But I agree with your general point,regarding the 'can of worms'

It's a massive ethical and moral conundrum that people sich as Tony Nicklinson present. the trouble is that people like him don't have to wrestle with ethical conundrums, they instead hsave to wrestle with a living hell

Totally agree with all of that, but I hope that something is sorted before I get to my old age. Modern medicine has made it so that existing is something people can do for years, and with the history of Alzheimer's in my family I have no desire to go own that road. The standard line in our house when I forget something is "Should I push you under that bus then?" because there's no way I want to go out like my nanna did.

[gingerjon]

Totally agree with all of that, but I hope that something is sorted before I get to my old age. Modern medicine has made it so that existing is something people can do for years, and with the history of Alzheimer's in my family I have no desire to go own that road. The standard line in our house when I forget something is "Should I push you under that bus then?" because there's no way I want to go out like my nanna did.

Not everyone who is locked in wants to die.

[Johnoco]

The fact that people's lives aren't ruined by having a child when they don't want to have one due to a mistake.

We shouldn't drag this into an abortion debate and the point was that something that started out 'to be used as a last resort' or only in certain cases is now widespread. That is the danger I fear in this scenario.

[JohnM]

Tragic, tragic, tragic case and a nightmare for both him and his family. However, for a number of reasons, I do not support any change in the law.

1. The Law of Unintended Consequences - assisted suicide and euthanasia will have consequences we are not yet aware of
2. Buttle/Tuttle - mistakes occur for the simplest of reasons and cannot ever be corrected.
3. The Slippery Slope - Assisted suicide now, then voluntary euthanasia etc etc. Familiy and medical consent now - then just medical consent - where will it stop?

[Steve May]

And its good is it? What do you base that on?

The historically low crime rate?

[Johnoco]

Not everyone who is locked in wants to die.

That is a real danger point.

Docs/relatives see patient unable to move/speak.....in the future will the assumption be 'poor thing, best put him out of his/her misery'?

[Johnoco]

The historically low crime rate?

Eh?

[MikeW]

We shouldn't drag this into an abortion debate and the point was that something that started out 'to be used as a last resort' or only in certain cases is now widespread. That is the danger I fear in this scenario.

Absolutely, apologies for hijacking your point.

[gingerjon]

Eh?

Freakonomics I believe.

[Johnoco]

Absolutely, apologies for hijacking your point.

No need mate, its an emotive subject is life and death and we all have our views.

[Johnoco]

Freakonomics I believe.

Right. *whoosh*

[MikeW]

Not everyone who is locked in wants to die.

I never said make it compulsory. If there is no EXPLICIT request then it's tough, you get kept alive. That's the issue with degenerative diseases/ilnesses. People are going to Switzerland when they still have a life worth living because they are terrified that when life's not worth it's too late to do anything about it.