Assisted Suicide

Paully D

A very dark subject, but would you/could you do it for someone?

Personally I don't think I'd ever be able to bring myself to help a loved one pass away. Even if they were suffering badly and wanted to end it I just wouldn't be able to do it.

squod

Joking aside, Id hope someone would care enough about me to end whatever suffering I'd have to endure at the end if need be.

7sr2z3fely84g5

if they where in agony,yes i would.

Fago!

Hell yeah I'd do it (if it was legal).That's only if they were suffering from a terribly painful and terminal illness. I'd much prefer they were put out of their agonising misery and at peace. I'd imagine it's a horrible thing to have to live with so much pain when you know it's not gonna get any better and you know you're going to die anyway. I'd want someone to do it for me if I was in their situation. The Euthanasia laws should seriously be changed.

Cill Dara Abu

If someone I loved was suffering and asked me to assist them I would do it!

Wolfe Tone

No I wouldn't, I think its wrong to purposefully extinguish a life like that.

EGAR

I would. I would like to be able to go with dignity myself and would afford it to loved ones.

dark crystal

Would you take your cat or dog to the vet to be put down if they were in considerable pain and misery and there was no cure?

I can't see why a loved one would deserve any less compassion than afforded to the family pet, to be honest.

Saying that, it would be something you would have to be prepared to live with for the rest of your life...not an easy thing to do by any means, even if it was the right thing to do at the time.

Still, I think every human being should have the right to end their life, if they wish to do so. I understand there could be a legal grey area in some cases, but if someone is of sound mind and directly requests to die in familiar surroundings, with their loved ones around to help them and make that transition easier, then who really has the right to say they shouldn't be allowed to do so?

Badgermonkey

Impossible to know 'til you're in that terrible position.

Would be in favour of legislating for it, though it'd be a car-crash of a debate.

Cill Dara Abu

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

No I wouldn't, I think its wrong to purposefully extinguish a life like that.

If you came across a dying dog on the road who was in alot of pain, what would you do?

arybvtcw0eolkf

Paully D wrote: »

A very dark subject, but would you/could you do it for someone?

Personally I don't think I'd ever be able to bring myself to help a loved one pass away. Even if they were suffering badly and wanted to end it I just wouldn't be able to do it.

I have absolutely no doubt what so ever that I'd have the compassion for a loved one to assist in their suicide.

Wolfe Tone

Cill Dara Abu wrote: »

If you came across a dying dog on the road who was in alot of pain, what would you do?

As much as I like dogs, humans are totally different and way more important.


Interestingly I decided against becoming a vet as I simply wouldn't be able to put them to sleep.

Wolfe Tone

squod wrote: »

Joking aside, Id hope someone would care enough about me to end whatever suffering I'd have to endure at the end if need be.

I don't think it is fair btw to basically say that those who wouldn't do it are not compassionate or loving enough.

Orim

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

No I wouldn't, I think its wrong to purposefully extinguish a life like that.

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you regularly post in support of republican paramilitary groups?

I would definitely do it. When my cat was in pain and suffering I chose for her life to be taken because it was the best thing for her. I would gladly do the same for a human loved one.

jive

If the person was suffering and there was 0% chance of recovery then I would absolutely support it. Think about it - if you were bed ridden in agony every day with no chance of recovery would you want to live? It'd be like torture only torture will potentially subside. The only thing awaiting you would be death. I'd look at it as doing that person a favour by supporting their assisted suicide - I would bring them somewhere to do it legally though because I'm not willing to go down for doing someone a favour!

I think it's odd that people are against it to be honest with you. Each to their own I guess but I think a person should have the right to decide whether they want to live or die and if they can't kill themselves without help then they should be helped. They're the ones that press the button anyway so they are killing themselves, they just need assistance. If you need assistance to kill yourself then you are not leading a good life, imo.

Wolfe Tone

Orim wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't you regularly post in support of republican paramilitary groups?

I would definitely do it. When my cat was in pain and suffering I chose for her life to be taken because it was the best thing for her. I would gladly do the same for a human loved one.

I dont support any republican paramilitary groups in existence, besides theres a big difference between a war and helping someone kill themselves.

squod

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

I don't think it is fair btw to basically say that those who wouldn't do it are not compassionate or loving enough.

Good point. Also, I couldn't ask another to do it. In fairness the patient should be given more rights or choices.

Dunny

Stop watching Emmerdale

Wolfe Tone

squod wrote: »

Good point. Also, I couldn't ask another to do it. In fairness the patient should be given more rights or choices.

People, patients in particular, may feel pressured into doing it, to save stress for family, bills etc and I dont think thats right.

The Scientician

Yeah I'd definitely do it, and hope one of my loved ones would do the same for me when the time came. It's the flipside of the wonderful medical technologies we have that sometimes life is prolonged beyond the desire of the person, and pain is their only future. In fact I'll euthanise ya now if ya don't shurrup.

Rothmans

Euthanasia should really be legal in Ireland in circumstances of terminal illness where people are suffering terribly ( assuming they are of sound mind). Doctors should be allowed to administer enough morphine as is necessary to relieve the pain, and if this amount of painkilling drugs is enough to kill the patient, than so be it ( assuming the patient can give informed consent of course).
If this were they case, relatives would not have to worry about being charged with assisted suicide ( which carries a max 14 yr sentance), they would not have to live with the guilt of assisting the suicide of a loved one, and finally, the person with the illness would not have to suffer the stress and discomfort of travelling to another country (( like Holland) where euthanasia is legal), possibly alone due to legal reasons. Instead, they'd be allowed die at home in the comfort of their friends and family.

EDIT: Personally though, I'd prefer to go out kicking and screaming.

squod

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

People, patients in particular, may feel pressured into doing it, to save stress for family, bills etc and I dont think thats right.

There's a flip side. My own parents as an example. Neither of them were going to get better, suffering could have been ended sooner. They had horrible deaths.

StupidLikeAFox

A hundred times yes.

Rather than being cruel to loved ones, I think assisted suicide allows for those closest to the sick person to be prepared for their death. It allows them to come to terms with what is happening, provides adequate closure and I would imagine it actually helps the grieving process as you are sure the person was prepared and in a good place at the time of death. It also allows those closest to the person to be with them at their death. Its a sort of ritual. It allows a person to die on their own terms

Gimme that any day over a slow and painful death, which may be complemented by painful medical treatments and a person disintegrating over time and becoming just a shell of a human being.

OkayWhatever

I'd want somebody to do it for me, so I'd do it for somebody. They might just be in so much pain that they can't even think about all their good memories and nobody wants that.. There's some things you need to always remember.

sparks24

i'd like the choice if i was in a sound mind for myself
but helping someone? hopefully i'll never know because its
something i think you would have to live through

HazDanz

Yes I would for someone who was very important to me and they felt it was the best decision for them. I would probable have very deep thoughts about it until the end of my days though.

Yakult

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxQYTFIZi8A

Saw this on tv one night, very hard to watch near the end but you can understand he's choice 100%.

Would recommend watching it if you have time to spare.

StupidLikeAFox

Yakult wrote: »

Saw this on tv one night, very hard to watch near the end but you can understand he's choice 100%.

Would recommend watching it if you have time to spare.

Saw that same thing. The guy had a disease which deteriorated the muscles and could basically have been left unable to move any muscles, not even blink, yet still have a completely functional brain. That would be torture.

Naikon

I am serious here. I would rather carry out my own death. Having seen what diseases such as Cancer can do to people, I would prefer to eat a bullet early than go through all that. Only in the most dire circumstances, mind you. A shotgun would be messy, but practically impossible to mess up provided you use the correct round. You have every right to do what you want to your own body. Assisted suicide is a bit more complex. I would though given the right circumstances.

flutterflye

Obviously would depend entirely on my relationship with the person, the specific situation, and the reasons for the person's request.

But after careful thought, in certain cases, yes, I would do it in a heart beat.

It really should be legalised.

If a person of sound mind is suffering and wishes to go, they should be allowed to go.

I do realise however that it would open a mindfield of red tape, confusion, misdiagnosis, regret, malpractice etc.

Would create loads of new jobs in the legal field though

OMG Its EoinD

Life should be lived , not suffered through. So yes I would. I would feel awful though.

Fluorescence

It's such an agonising thing to watch someone slowly die, constantly racked by pain despite medication etc, just waiting for the moment they finally pass over. Illegal euthanasia means that they're sentenced to a form of imprisonment and torture almost, not allowed to make an adult decision for themselves. If they're of sound mind, and ready for death, they should be allowed to make that choice.

It'd be a difficult thing for me to do, but if someone I loved dearly was dying slowly, in constant agony, and asked me to help them end their life sooner, on their terms, then yes. I would. It would be cruel to say, "No, you must wait in pain for the death that's coming soon naturally anyway."

marcsignal

Paully D wrote: »

A very dark subject, but would you/could you do it for someone?

I watched my gf waste away and eventually die of cancer in 2006.
It took six months, and by the end she looked like something from auschwitz, just skin and bone, unable to speak, move, or eat. All she could do was cry.

If I had had any inkling she wanted me to do anything at all to relieve her suffering by pulling the plug, or whatever, I would have done it, but she had no way of communicating, so I guess I'll never know what she wanted at the time.

I'm still troubled by the experience, and at times I'm not sure if I wanted to relieve her pain, or mine, that's the problem sometimes for many people facing such a situation, whether they know or not.

wouldn't wish either experience on anyone.

cenvuza7fg9kx5

If you did it right nobody's going to hold an investigation into the death, the doctors will not ask too many questions and you'd get away with it.

The problem with legalising euthanasia is that people who may see themselves as a burden, including the elderly, may feel selfish for keeping themselves alive or under pressure to commit euthanasia. That is why it can never be legal.

If somebody really wants to die, I mean how hard is it really, they'll find a way or make plans for when they're ready. Sorry to the poster above, that's some really cruel stuff but maybe they told her she might recover.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

While I don't have any moral objections to it, I honestly don't know if I'd be able to do it and I really, really hope that I never have to find out.

jimbob86

Your all watching to much emerdale folks

Einhard

I really don't know. It's easy to say now that I would, but when the time came, would I be able to go through with it? I doubt it. That being said, I think the laws should be changed so that each person has the option.

Overheal

We're still talking about approving suicide here. Just so you are all aware. The only difference is we're talking about who will be slitting the wrists or whathaveyou.

bnt

For anyone interested in the issues, there's a program about this on BBC2, 9PM Monday 13 Jun, called Choosing To Die: the author Terry Pratchett looks in to assisted suicide and pays a visit to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland. It will be followed directly by a debate on Newsnight. Sir pTerry has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, so it's on his mind.

Ricardo G

Your all sick individuals !! Why are you blaming the Youth in asia ??

My name is URL

I don't think people should be allowed to legally self-prescribe it.. If an appropriate team of professionals deem it to be a reasonable option for the patient then they should have the choice.

Pierce_1991

I would be in support of assisted suicide for patients in pain and who are terminally ill, however I would not be in favor of legislating for euthenasia. As Wolfe Tone said a few posts back, if the option of euthenasia is legally available the some patients may feel pressured into taking it. It has been said that legalising assisted suicide may remove a patients right to die by default. I believe the best way to deal with the subject is to simply leave it as a grey area. If a patient wants it, he or she can ask a doctor to help them die.

Lone Stone

personally knowing one day i may be having this discussion with a family member:( I dont think i could live with myself if i did it, and i dread the day if it ever comes up.

booboo88

Without wanting to bring emmerdale or the soaps into it, if a loved one is of sound mind, and hasnt the abilty to live independently and ASKED for help i would, I would hate for someone I loved to suffer, everyone should be left keep their dignity

efb

Yes, I hope I'd have the courage to help them.

And if I was in their position I'd hope someone would do the same for me.

zenno

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

No I wouldn't, I think its wrong to purposefully extinguish a life like that.

would you rather see them suffering in serious pain and keep them alive till they died of shock ?. sounds like torture to me to keep a person alive in agonising pain.

you sir' do not fully understand what you are really saying imo.

Cupcake_Crisis

I only had this discussion with my parents a few days ago (brought on by emerald no less) and i surprised to hear that neither of them agreed withassisted suicide.

If a loved one was suffering an agonising, drawn out death i would let them die with their dignity and assist their suicide. I think its very cruel to make a person live in pain to sooth the conscious of doctors/ other family members. I can only hope that if i was in such a situation that my loved ones would have the same compassion for me.

Craebear

Euthanasia should not only be optional. For some it should be mandatory.

OPENROAD

Cupcake_Crisis wrote: »

I only had this discussion with my parents a few days ago (brought on by emerald no less) and i surprised to hear that neither of them agreed withassisted suicide.

If a loved one was suffering an agonising, drawn out death i would let them die with their dignity and assist their suicide. I think its very cruel to make a person live in pain to sooth the conscious of doctors/ other family members. I can only hope that if i was in such a situation that my loved ones would have the same compassion for me.

Where do you draw the line though, for instance a person with Alzheimer's is not in any physical pain, and can remain very happy even though they have lost the ability to do everything for themselves.

Pierce_1991

OPENROAD wrote: »

Where do you draw the line though, for instance a person with Alzheimer's is not in any physical pain, and can remain very happy even though they have lost the ability to do everything for themselves.

You also have the question of respecting advance directives. Someone diagnosed with early stages of alzheimers may give the directive that they be given no life saving treatment should they need it. 10 years later the same person, who seems perfectly happy but merely acts like an infant, gets pneumonia, do you respect the advance directive and withhold simple life saving treatment?

zenno

Cupcake_Crisis wrote: »

I only had this discussion with my parents a few days ago (brought on by emerald no less) and i surprised to hear that neither of them agreed withassisted suicide.

If a loved one was suffering an agonising, drawn out death i would let them die with their dignity and assist their suicide. I think its very cruel to make a person live in pain to sooth the conscious of doctors/ other family members. I can only hope that if i was in such a situation that my loved ones would have the same compassion for me.

don't forget it's the catholic church that has the most say in this scenario. that will all change soon.