euthanasia (+article)

Wook

Overdose kills right-to-die man


Vincent was mentally alert and wanted to die
A severely handicapped Frenchman has died two days after his mother put an overdose in his drip.
The case of 22-year-old Vincent Humbert who was left mute, blind and paralysed following an accident three years ago has sparked a nation-wide debate over euthanasia in France.

His mother, Marie Humbert, 47, was briefly arrested on Wednesday after injecting him with barbiturates in the northern town of Berck-sur-Mer.

She has now been released into psychiatric care.

Euthanasia is illegal in France and prosecutors are considering whether to charge Mrs Humbert with murder or manslaughter.

Local prosecutor Gerald Lesigne said the investigation would continue "normally" - a post-mortem examination would be carried out to determine the cause of Vincent Hubert's death.

You have the right to pardon and I am asking you for the right to die


But Justice Minister Dominique Perben has urged "the greatest humanity in applying the law" in this case.

Opinion polls suggest that the majority of French people believe Marie Humbert was right to carry out her son's request.

Following this tragic case, more than 80% of respondents say the law against voluntary euthanasia should now be changed, says the BBC's Caroline Wyatt.


"He got what he wanted, and what he wanted is what counts," said Laurent, Vincent's brother after the death was announced at about 1045 local time (0845 GMT).

"I am happy that my brother is finally free, it's an enormous relief," he said.

The incident was highly-publicised - Mrs Humbert had announced her plans to the media and she put the overdose on the drip three years to the day Vincent had the accident.



Mother and son wrote a book
Her son had written to President Jacques Chirac to allow him to end his life.

The request was turned down, but the publicity ignited a fierce debate in France over whether the law forbidding assisted suicide should be changed.

On Thursday, Vincent Humbert's book I Ask for the Right to Die was published in France, describing his intense frustration at what he called a "living death".

He wrote the book using his right thumb, the only part of his body he was able to move, to indicate the letter of the alphabet he wanted.

(source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3142246.stm )



I am all for euthanasia, and I think the mother in this case had all rights to do this on the request of her son. I can not even imagine what it must have been like for her to see the son like this with no hope of improvement. I would even extend it to life prisoners, give them the choice , death or life (in prison).

your thoughts ?

misswex

I am all for it as well!!!

Why prolong the suffering of somebody when they want the suffering to end.

I hope it becomes legal over here, doubtful but maybe someday!!

But even though I'm all for it, if somebody asked me to help them to die, I don't know if I could!!

Syth

I'm in favour of euthanasia in general, but there are loads of issues that people will/can bring up against it. For example the people who most likely will wan to die are people who suddenly have severse physical disabilities, but it would be hard in many cases like that to find out if the person actually wants to die, they may be so severly paralysed. What to do?

mike65

I've said this before on a previous thread on this subjectbut I'll say it again - If putting an ill animal to sleep is humane why is
keeping a person who wants to die and is in pain and misery not barbaric behaviour?

Mike.

IrishMike

Whatever way u want to look at it life is precious
And taking someones life wheather 2 ease pain etc is just plain wrong
Its murder whatever way u want 2 look at it

chill

If we are to have any rights in this life then it is the right over our own body -our own life.

In the case where we are physically unable to exercise this right but clearly wish to do so then it is wrong and cruel not to allow a willing partner or family member to do so.

Keeping people who are suffering unacceptable pain, discomfort or quality of life alive against their clear and expressed will is deeply immoral in my opinion and is essentially selfish on the part of society.

Thankfully every day our doctors are 'assisting' people to pass away quietly and without notice with the agreement of their family - both at home and in hospitals. It is about time society applied the kind of humanity and morality it prefesses to have, to those unable to exercise contorl over their own life.
Assisted suicide must be legalised sooner or later, with adequate controls and supervision of course.

Paddy20

I have expressed my opinion on "Voluntary Euthanasia" on another thread, exactly where slips my mind at this moment, but imho it is clearly just & humane, that in appropriate circumstances, Voluntary Euthanasia should of course be legal.

P.:(

stormkeeper

Over here in Holland, it is legal, but you need to get 2 independent diganoses (plural sp?) from 2 diff doctors...

doctor evil

When would the book be published over here?. It would be quite interesting to read.