Why do we put animals out of their misery but let humans suffer?

@Thechaseison71
But what when it's the humans own choice? My mum had an advance directive and it was immense hassle trying to get the hospital to abide by it.

Did the medical staff try to ignore your mother’s request, or was it a hassle in that there was so much bureaucracy involved to ensure the directive was carried out?

That wasn't for euthenasia btw. That was what she wanted in certain scenarios treatment wise.

That’s because an advance directive is not the choice of the human as the human currently exists.

This stuff isn’t simple to navigate.

But what when it's the humans own choice? My mum had an advance directive and it was immense hassle trying to get the hospital to abide by it

How many have to sacrificed before you would be willing to look at it again?

I wonder how many pets are euthanised due to cost or inconvenience. I imagine it's more than zero.

I am not against assisted dying in principle, but I wouldn't trust the NHS or the government itself to ensure genuine protections are in place, especially when people choosing or being coerced in to being euthanised is so beneficial to the state.

It doesn't take anything away from me personally, but it does put vulnerable and mentally ill people at risk of coercion. It puts elderly people at risk of being made to feel like a burden. It puts palliative care at risk of seeming optional, and therefore not requiring funding.
It's not about the individual, it's about the whole.

Implement it and if the horror scenarios the anti people imagine actually come about, then look at it again.

People have to have interviews to ensure they are not being coerced when they come forward to be a living donor for a family member.
I am sure the same approach could be taken to ensure it is 100% the choice of the person who is seeking help to die.

Well of course, naturally, but how? Has anyone got any suggestions? It’s a serious question, I’m not trying to be difficult or goady.

I would hope there would be safeguards against that.

But how can you ensure that they haven’t felt pressured into expressing that desire?

I don't think they use the same drugs either. Lethal injection is usually 3 different drugs administered in stages and the person to be executed is strapped to a gurney.
I have seen countless documentaries on assisted dying, and they are mostly people sat up in bed who have a drink of the drug then just fall asleep. I remember one of a lady who used an IV line with the drug in, but she had to release the valve herself.

I think people read about the horror stories coming out about MAID and think it be will like that. Places like Switzerland have been providing assisted dying for years.

While I 99% agree with assisted dying I can’t help but feel that there is no way to definitely ensure that some people wouldn’t feel that they should end their life because they are a burden to others. Or even worse, that some relatives might encourage that perception.

I genuinely would like to know that those who are 100% pro assisted dying would feel it could be legislated to stop that happening. It’s not something I feel people can say “oh well it’s fine if that doesn’t happen in nearly all cases”. To me that’s not enough.

or allow a proxy to execute them by overdose of the exact same drugs used in countries with the death penalty to execute criminals.

@AmberTigerEyes the difference is assisted dying is with the consent, indeed, request, of the person.
A criminal who is executed has not chosen to die.

You don't have to use it.
But people who would like to help a bit of help at the end absolutely deserve that right. It takes nothing away from you for them to do so.

What is it to die with dignity? And why is it that assisted dying proponents seem to think the only way to die with dignity is to essentially sign up for or allow a proxy to execute them by overdose of the exact same drugs used in countries with the death penalty to execute criminals.

I cannot for one second think refusing lethal drugs used in the execution of criminals is a cruelty or the only way to die with dignity.

What if the patient wants to hurry the process along?

The objections raised by the opponents of assisted dying remind me of those who disagree fundamentally with the right to abortion. If you don't agree with abortion, then don't have one. If you don't agree with an assisted death, don't have one. Don't take the option away from people who do desperately want these medical procedures.

I think our status is closer to “unowned” than “self-owned”. Anyway, I was just trying to give an answer to the question as posed. I want to be able to decide for myself, but that’s a lot simpler than codifying this into law for everyone.

Even when humans have expressed their desire to die with dignity.
That is the real cruelty here.

Do we not own ourselves? I like to think I do.

My dog's euthanasia was similarly bungled. It was absolutely horrendous. HOWEVER, it took half an hour, not days/weeks/months. We already left it 2 days too late, 2 days she no longer really had quality of life. I feel FAR more guilty about those 2 days than the horrible death.

But, I sort of believe this because, oftentimes, the animals suffering (or perceived suffering) is hard for the human to understand or deal with, so death seems like a mercy for the animal and themselves.

So, it's not really weird.

I can't understand why we put animals to sleep to spare them suffering but humans still have to deal with this slow and undignified end.

Because we own animals and we don't own humans.

I 100% agree with you op. I get the arguments against it such as misuse, but even considering that, every part of me hopes so much it’s allowed here one day.

I think we find it very difficult to talk about death in the UK. I support assisted dying and was really upset to see that it held up in the lords in a very undemocratic way.

My Dad had an absolutely awful death it was traumatic watching the way he died and I don’t think me, my mum or sister will ever get past it. The last two days were so horrific it was like watching someone being tortured. I think this debate is difficult as lots of people have never had to watch someone die in such an awful way but the people who have it is hard to get past and understand why anyone would put someone through that. My dad had fantastic nurses and doctors and had pain medication and none of it touched the sides.

In every poll about this issue the public support assisted dying and that should be respected.