Parliamentary consultation on Assisted Dying

[BoreOfWhabylon]

You can give your views on this important subject by completing the brief survey linked in the OP of this thread. It's very short and simple

www.mumsnet.com/talk/petitions_noticeboard/4707907-please-give-your-views-on-assisted-dying-to-the-parliamentary-consulation-by-20th-january-2023-it-will-only-take-a-few-minutes?reply=122653412

Just emphasising it's a survey, not a petition. The consultation closes on 20 January.

I do think there are many valid arguments against AD too, which is why this consultation is important.

@ILoveAllRainbowsx Thanks for pointing out some folks may not agree AD is the right way.

I have NC for this post as it is a bit outing... I have a disease which, assuming something else doesn't get me first, will lead to a nasty death. I was always pro AD, until I realised people were asking me when I would take my own life, not if I would. The default was that I would go before I was a burden, it had nothing to do with easing my suffering.

This has made me sit on the fence with this issue. Having seen my Dad die badly, I don't want that to be the norm, but equally I don't like the attitudes I have been on the receiving end of... It's a tricky one...

The people who are against AD will say anything as they have no valid argument.

OK, I'm pissed off now.

I wrote a long, considered post on your other thread in response to something you wrote which actually shocked me with its disregard for the potential dangers of legalising assisted dying.

You replied with spam.

I don't think you have thought about the necessary safeguards at all. You just want to handwave them away. I'm not even against AD but I'm edging towards it because of cavalier attitudes like yours.

This is my life and my body. If my mind or body starts to fail to the point of no quality of life, it should be my decision to be able to die peacefully when I think it's time.

@ILoveAllRainbowsx · spamming like this is bad form. You’ve made your point with a few insults thrown in for good measure.

The instant you start insulting people who don’t concur with your viewpoint you lose your argument.

There is very clear evidence that in countries where assisted dying is legal there is an expectation on people that they should want to end their lives.

I have seen documentaries and read articles about Dignitas and it is by no means the peaceful tranquil place that people want to believe it is.

Anyone who believes that if assisted dying becomes legal it won’t lead to people believing that they owe it to their families to end their lives, that people won’t suggest to those with an illness “wouldn’t it be better if you ended this all now?” Is being shockingly naive.

I am not against assisted dying per se, I have a life limiting illness and an advanced directive which states that I am not to be kept alive in certain circumstances, however legalising assisted dying has the potential to be a very slippery slope. Plenty of other countries have experienced this already.

I dont want to get dementia then spend years not having a clue what the hell is going on and my upkeep costing a fortune… put a pillow over my face when I get to that point.

I am in favour of assisted dying. We need to become more humane when dealing with people who want to make this decision for either mental or physical reasons. None of us chose to be alive, with had this decision foisted on us by our parents. We should be allowed to say when enough enough. Life is hard!!!

Isn’t it similar to abortion, in terms of people’s right to bodily autonomy? Yes, I’m sure there are some people who feel unnecessarily pressured into having one when it is available, but far far more are relieved at being able to decide.

I can imagine a scenario where, when it is clear that there is nothing more to be done/I’m suffering, that I could gather my family and peacefully say goodbye, rather than a drawn-out, painful process. Surely that option is much better.

If people are against assisted dying they can have the right to not be assisted to die.

An "opt in" register would surely solve their protests if they're so desperate to endure that torture on themselves and inflict the pain of watching it on their loved ones.

Sorted.

Zero tolerance for these people.

The problem with dementia is it’s then too late to make that decision once the disease has set in. Plus many older people are adamant to want to continue to live even if it seems like they have no life at all. I am much more thinking about those with prolonged physical disabilities, life limiting conditions such as Huntingdons or MND or end stage cancers where there’s no hope but the patient would like to control their death.