Assisted Suicide, right or wrong?

[Xelis]

This video from Sky News shows scenes just before the guy dies. [May be unsuitable for some]
[ame="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kw5vz6zCj3k"]YouTube - Sky Television screens the suicide of a 59 year old Motor Neurone disease sufferer Craig Ewert[/ame]

Personally I think its your life and you should be able to choose your own fate, how can the government dictate whether you choose to die or not, especially with a terminal illness.

Also people say they should die naturally, yet people are stuck machines for years on end to keep them alive.

Whats your thoughts?

[Svetlana]

The option for people with serious degenerative diseases to use assisted suicide should be available. I know that I wouldn't want to be kept alive if, like motor neurone disease, my body is affected to the point where I cannot move, communicate nor do the simplest things even when assisted. I'd like to die with dignity, with the people I love and free from the possibility of them receiving criminal charges.

Great thread. It's just a shame that this will invariably turn into another religious flamefest.

[Jaeger]

I was watching the news report about this on Five News yesterday, and I was in total agreement about the guy having the right to die. If I were in exactly the same position as him, I'd choose to die too, no matter how cowardice that makes me sound. I wouldn't want to deal with all the pain and suffering, nor would I want to inflict pain on people I care about by having them see me in pain. I think it's only fair that people should be given the right to choose whether they want to die or not, especially a person in that condition.

[Icc]

touchy subject here, i said it's ok but only because i support any sort of choice movement. it's all up to you, if you think it's best then it's best.

[PsychoBadBoy]

Although I believe that life holds huge value, I think that under certain circumstances, people should be allowed to receive assistance in ending their suffering. These circumstances would be, of course, people suffering or dying from an infliction which causes them great incessant pain and agony. I don't see anything wrong with assisted suicide under these circumstances as long as it is the patient's choice.

Also, there is nothing natural about living in a coma connected to machines for years...I would most certainly not want this for myself.

[k.cuthbertson]

I think it should be up to the person, especially to end chronic pain. I mean put yourself in their shoes, if you knew you were going to die eventually and every day of your life was spent in excrutiating pain, what would you want?

Its the same thing as abortion, gay marriage etc. I hate how so many ppl in the US are trying to tell people what they can and cannot do. Abortion is the choice of the woman, NOT the government. Oh sure lets make her have the baby and then end up giving it away to some adoption agency where it will never see proper care.

And the gay marriage thing, I thought the US was supposed to have FREEDOM of RELIGION. The people that are trying to ban gay marriage say it should be unlawful because it says in the BIBLE that marriage is between a man and a woman. As far as I'm concerned when the government banned gay marriage in certain states, they violated the first amendment, no question about it.

On a final note, I'm straight, was born to a 17 year old mother and father, and am a christian. But everyone deserves the right to be happy, and the government isn't the one who gets to decide what makes YOU happy. Whoa sorry for the long post.

[WaspMonkey]

touchy subject here, i said it's ok but only because i support any sort of choice movement. it's all up to you, if you think it's best then it's best.

I hope you mean when the choice effects only you. Otherwise a lot of bad people, rapists', molestors', murderers', thieves etc. would just use your logic.

[TommyFewty]

Its really up to the person if they choice to or not. If your in pain and your going to eventually die then why not be able to die without putting your family through the pain of watching you suffer then eventually dying. I know if i saw someone dying and they where going to be in pain for god knows how long then its up to them to decide. Id understand their decision.

[darky89]

I agree.
Being kept alive by a machine isn't living. Being in pain and being told by some politician with a nice house, nice car earning something like 100+ grand that you just must live is bs.
I don't ever intend to live in a retirement home, i don't see the point in living to sit at a window, crap yourself, sleep and then do the same thing for years. So i especially agree if someone is in pain.

[Lethalmind]

Being kept alive by a machine isn't living.

It isn't living and that's the first thing that came to my mind. We have to sacrifice an unbelievable amount of money in exchange for suffering and pain on a machine. I'd never wish to cause my loved ones any form of grief to watch me in such a pathetic state. In that aspect, anyone should be granted the right to choose if they want to go.

[Xelis]

The option for people with serious degenerative diseases to use assisted suicide should be available. I know that I wouldn't want to be kept alive if, like motor neurone disease, my body is affected to the point where I cannot move, communicate nor do the simplest things even when assisted. I'd like to die with dignity, with the people I love and free from the possibility of them receiving criminal charges.

Great thread. It's just a shame that this will invariably turn into another religious flamefest.

I used every ounce to hold back from mentioning religious views on the subect, I had a wall of text ready then thought best of it. That debate has been going on for 2000 years and unlikely to find a resolve, especially on a gaming forum . Hopefully others will refrain from making this into a religious debate.

I was watching the news report about this on Five News yesterday, and I was in total agreement about the guy having the right to die. If I were in exactly the same position as him, I'd choose to die too, no matter how cowardice that makes me sound. I wouldn't want to deal with all the pain and suffering, nor would I want to inflict pain on people I care about by having them see me in pain. I think it's only fair that people should be given the right to choose whether they want to die or not, especially a person in that condition.

I still don't think its cowardly for them to choose suicide, thats like the hardest decision you could possible make.

[Jaeger]

I'm not saying it is cowardly, man, just trying to make a point that people are quick to judge others. Take this incident, for example, and try and find out how many people were quick to call him a coward for choosing to end his life and you will see what I mean.

[BlindSight]

Recognizing people's right to self-ownership, their right to do with their life what they please without harming other people's right to do the same...

I would not say that assisted suicide should be illegal.

Under the law of course it must be proven that the person wanted another to kill them, to assist their suicide. It is reasonable for the person assisting the suicide to ensure that they sign something, have many others verify their wish to die, etc.

It does not even have to be about degenerative diseases, for example if a physically healthy adult had many psychological issues and traumas that genuinely made them want to die, they have full right to kill themselves.

Now would I personally approve? Depends on the circumstances, but no not really, and I might try and talk them out of it.

I did not vote since its awkward question to say : assisted suicide, right or wrong? Is that asking if I approve of the person's death wish or what? Well it should be legal, but its another matter if I personally would assist someone's death.

[HaTriX]

I think its perfectly fine if you have a terminal disease, or something closely related.

But doing it just because your friend ate the last chip in the bag isn't a very good reason, and should be frowned upon.

[dannycorkers]

People should have the right to end their life if they wish to. In essence it's the same as the death penalty argument - is it worse to die or spend the rest of your life miserable in jail. For this the argument is whether or not it's better to die or live the rest of your life in agony. I honestly think that condemning people to suffer when they have the opportunity to end their pain is wrong, and that it should be entirely up to the individual, regardless of what their family or the government think.

[HaTriX]

It's like my Mum. She is terminally ill and has asked my family to help assist her suicide if her quality of life gets this low. Naturally, i've said no because i love her so much and don't want to lose her, so have my other family members, but when it actually comes down to it and when i'm put in that situation i would probably do it for her because that would make her happy and that is what she wants as much as i don't want her to die.

Therefore, i voted yes.

Aw, that's so sad. *feels sorry for holly*

[holly]

People should have the right to end their life if they wish to. In essence it's the same as the death penalty argument - is it worse to die or spend the rest of your life miserable in jail. For this the argument is whether or not it's better to die or live the rest of your life in agony. I honestly think that condemning people to suffer when they have the opportunity to end their pain is wrong, and that it should be entirely up to the individual, regardless of what their family or the government think.

It's like my Mum. She is terminally ill and has asked my family to help assist her suicide if her quality of life gets this low. Naturally, i've said no because i love her so much and don't want to lose her, so have my other family members, but when it actually comes down to it and when i'm put in that situation i would probably do it for her because that would make her happy and that is what she wants as much as i don't want her to die.

Therefore, i voted yes.

[Icc]

People should have the right to end their life if they wish to. In essence it's the same as the death penalty argument - is it worse to die or spend the rest of your life miserable in jail. For this the argument is whether or not it's better to die or live the rest of your life in agony. I honestly think that condemning people to suffer when they have the opportunity to end their pain is wrong, and that it should be entirely up to the individual, regardless of what their family or the government think.

you sir are smart. if i was put into a condition to either die slowly or quickly, i'd really prefer to go on my terms.

[Carl]

I think yes. If it's what they want, why not? It will end their pain, and make them happy, aswell as granting one last wish for a person you love. If it was someone I love that wanted to do it, i wouldn't even hesitate.

[DangerousMali]

It's like my Mum. She is terminally ill and has asked my family to help assist her suicide if her quality of life gets this low. Naturally, i've said no because i love her so much and don't want to lose her, so have my other family members, but when it actually comes down to it and when i'm put in that situation i would probably do it for her because that would make her happy and that is what she wants as much as i don't want her to die.

Therefore, i voted yes.

I would be exactly the same.

In the end whats worse than your mother passing away would be to know that she is in unnecessary pain.

[Zoibie]

I think it's right, imo it just doesn't make sense to keep someone alive on a machine if in the end, they are still in pain and are still suffering. And at least this way, the family can spend quality time with the person in the few hours before their death rather than being kept on a machine and having family come and visit and never really be sure when it'll happen.

[Thorzilla]

I say yes. That's not living. Let them die proudly. Forcing you to stay alive is as bad as forcing you to die.

[PsychoBadBoy]

Some people voted 'no'. Post! I want to see your point of view. We won't flame you...this is a very mature discussion and all sides should be discussed in here.

[Lefein]

More Oxygen for me!

Seriously, if someone wants out in a non-violent or obtrusive matter, what more can we ask for?

[Lethalmind]

It's like my Mum. She is terminally ill and has asked my family to help assist her suicide if her quality of life gets this low. Naturally, i've said no because i love her so much and don't want to lose her, so have my other family members, but when it actually comes down to it and when i'm put in that situation i would probably do it for her because that would make her happy and that is what she wants as much as i don't want her to die.

Therefore, i voted yes.

That is sad Holly and my deepest condolences go out to you and your family

Some people voted 'no'. Post! I want to see your point of view. We won't flame you...this is a very mature discussion and all sides should be discussed in here.

I would like to see the other side of the spectrum as well. The only thing I could think of on my own is that people wouldn't do it because they're sad that their loved one must go. Can those who object enlighten us?