To think euthanasia should be legal in the UK

[ThereWillBeAdequateFood]

Just that really. Many countries have legalised euthanasia for terminally ill adults. I think it’s about time the U.K. did the same?

It’s not right that it’s only an option for those with the money to go abroad to have this as an option.

Completely agree. Sad state of affairs when animals are treated with more compassion than humans.

I completely agree. We treat animals better than we do humans. The things we make humans live with would have you arrested for neglect or abuse of it was a dog.

YANBU I agree that if I ever reach a point where I'm existing rather than living I'd like someone to be able to say "enough" without any repercussions.

YANBU

We are a civilised country and this could end so much suffering and let people have a dignified end.

Completely agree.

A friend of a friend is currently dying of cancer in hospital and it's an awful, slow, painful death.

Given the choice, I wouldn't want that - I wouldn't want my friends/family seeing me slowly die.

I'd rather choose my time and go with dignity.

I'm uneasy about having it enshrined in law. But I would like the law to turn a blind eye in some cases...

Yes.
I believe there is shortly to be a debate on this in the House of Commons. Email your MP and make sure they are going to be there!

I do agree but I also worry about where to draw the line.
Also would question whether it would be paid for by the NHS, what drugs they would use etc.

As a nurse of almost 30 years and having cared for terminally ill people and been in and out of nursing homes for years as a district nurse, I absolutely agree.

Email your MP and make sure they are going to be there

I would but my MP is utterly useless.

In total agreement as, I believe, most of the population, so why haven't things changed?! We treat animals better than people in this country.

I agree but I worry that some people might do it because they don’t want to be a burden or run out of money - there’s a good Louis Theroux episode about this and it touches on some of the complexities and unintended consequences.

One of the issues is that one of the main circumstances where people would want it is dementia but you’d need to decide in advance and according to very clear criteria because otherwise you wouldn’t be considered competent to make the decision.

I don't really have the time to write this properly but feel I must write something. I'm very commonly work with people at the end of life, and with vulnerable people. If euthanasia is legalised, I don't think there can ever be adequate protection to ensure that people haven't been pressurised into making that decision.

In theory I agree.

In practice, I'd be terrified about possible abuses.

I used to say I agreed in principle but I thought it'd be too difficult to make work ethically in practice so I was against. And while I do still think it's an ethical minefield now I've seen my mum die very very slowly and horribly I agree we have to find a way to make it work.

I agree whole heartedly in theory but I do worry about what such a law might lead to. This government has no compassion for the ill or vulnerable and for fear of sounding a bit tinfoil hat, I do worry that it wouldn’t take much for a slightly less scrupulous government with slightly less money and a slightly bigger population in the future to see euthanasia as a cheap way of avoiding paying all kinds of benefits.

I agree. My great aunt is 94, she can no longer see or walk and her hearing is going. She begs us all every time we see her to "put her out of her misery". It's heartbreaking

In an ideal world yes but we don't live in an ideal world. Doctors make mistakes. Families and friends add pressure both directly and indirectly.

A final super dose of morphine in the last painful hours of someone's life, absolutely. Allowing someone to end their life when they're still living, it's a step too far in my view.

I agree whole heartedly in theory but I do worry about what such a law might lead to

allthe I think Euthanasia has been legal in Oregon for two decades. I don’t think it’s led to any kind of slippery slope unintended consequences (I’m prepared to be corrected on this).

I totally agree. Having watched both my ILs die from cancer, I'd r3ally want the decision on how much pain I die in be in my own hands.

If your mp is useless then even more reason to email.

Also, YANBU.

I would support this but would worry a person may have this forced upon then.

You hear about elderly people being forced to change their will etc

I absolutely believe it should be legalised, I want to go with dignity when it is my time.

I’ve your mp is useless then even more reason to email

I’ve emailed him 5 times over the past year. He’s only responded twice (both times months late) and his reply contained basic factual errors.
You are right though, he’s my MP and I should contact him.

YANBU. I think that letting people suffer the way that we do is unconscionable.