Abortion is fine but euthanasia isn't??

[Mommabear20]

With all the discussion on abortion at the moment, and the clear view from the majority is people that they're a good thing, AIBU to wonder why we still don't allow for legal euthanasia of terminally ill people in this country (England)?

My personal view on abortion is that is a terrible practise that makes me terrible sad to think about and a resource I would never use, BUT that it should be legal for woman whose views differ to mine, to allow them to make their own decisions about their bodies and lives.

It baffles me then, to think that while we are fighting for woman's rights on this subject, that we aren't also fighting for the rights of every person who is or will suffer terribly as a result of terminal illnesses, not to mention the trauma for their families who have to watch them deteriorate in health knowing that it's only going to get worse and often times won't get to be there with them at the end.

Would you be in agreement to make euthanasia legal?

Op, I share your thoughts on abortion and euthanasia. You are brave to come on here and share them, was refreshing for me to read.@Mommabear20

I think both are fine and should be legal with the appropriate controls in place.

Of course it should be allowed in very restricted and carefully regulated circumstances

Reading mumsnet sometimes makes me believe that euthanasia should be compulsory for some.

Providing there are strict safeguards in place, euthanasia should be legal.

Yes. I think we should have autonomy over our own bodies including whether or not we stay alive.

It is not about abortion or euthanasia and although I truly believe both should be legalised, (abortion is tolerated in the UK, do not believe it is 100% legal for all situations) I believe even more in individual choice.

If a woman chooses to have an abortion, she should be able to have access to one in a medically safe environment, without going through pickets lines and endless justification. Same with euthanasia, it is the right of the individual to decide on the quality of life they wish to have and end of life choices when faced with terminal illness.

Suicide in the same bucket? You have to be kidding! That is one of the strongest arguments against euthanasia, that people with mental health conditions will have easier access for suicide
people who loose the will to live, or more probably become fixated with ideas of self harm are extremely ill. This is not normal. In almost all cases with correct treatment they can be helped beyond this self harm ideation. For many people it is as a result of a mental health crisis that is short lived. Sure, there may be other crisises later, but in between this person does not want to actively kill themselves.
jeez, so many people feel like this for temporary periods in their lives. I had a bout of this both during PND and then menopause. What would have happened if I’d been allowed to kill myself with a 8 week baby depending on me? What would have happened if I’d driven into the walls/trees on my way home from work for weeks when I was at my lowest a few years back with menopause symptoms. I self harmed and the lot. It was a temporary state of mind. Thank god I was not legally allowed to act on it, and if I had tried anything people would have stopped me. My ex has schizoaffective disorder. Only a few times before he was diagnosed did he express thoughts of self harm. He has been on meds for 14 years- it simply doesn’t happen now. Sure, meds are shit, his quality of life not fantastic..but he still feels his life is worth living,

it is very different having self harm ideation as a result of mental illness vs having a physical terminal illness that you will be dying of imminently. We don’t put animals down cos they’re miserable- we do it becuase they are dying or won’t survive treatment needed and are inacute physical pain.

I agree it should be legalised. BUT…the issue is safeguarding and that by and large is why it has failed to get through parliament as a bill. No one knows how to make a fool proof fail safe to ensure only those that really need to die as such, are allowed to persue it
ifnitnis legalised, many people believe, and I agree, that old people will feel too much of a burden and if their quality of life is poor will simply want to “get it over and done with “. But this is really about old people being isolated, under valued, and negated- and society really should be addressing that . There are concerns that children will put gently nudges and not so gentle coercion on their elderly and ill parents to reduce care home fees etc.

pin an ideal world everyone who has made a decison to end their life should appear before a judge or independent body to hear the pro and cons and ensure no coercion is involved. But that will be prohibitively expensive and time consuming and complex. that would make it the preserve of individuals with extremely complex and difficult physical illnesses - which is probably the right shout

i think it is very dangerous to just allow people to take their lives when they want- coercion, temporary periods of depression or self harm ideation will result in a loss of life that is just plain wrong.

Suicide is different as there is a choice to be made. End of life options should only be made available in the face of terminal illness, when it is inevitable that the quality of life of an individual is such that they are just existing. Think locked in syndrome, motor neurone disease etc. The biggest supporters of euthanasia have been people who have been, and are suffering, from these diseases. Their voices should be heard as they are the ones desperate for this choice to be made available.

The Spanish film, 'The Sea Inside', about a true story of a paralysed man who fought a 30-year campaign to win the right to end his life with dignity, is worth a watch.

@EmilyBolton a first step would be to look at the models used in countries where euthanasia is legal, then perhaps people would stop catastrophising!

@Iamnotamermaid

Why can't I choose when I want to end my life?

Indeed, who says you have to have some terrible illness, why not allow people to say I've had enough thanks.

You condense this idea and push it to the extreme actually.

Why bother helping very severe cases of mental health problems, if you can just let the problem fester until the day it 'just goes away'?

You don't have to do this maliciously. You can do it with circular beaucracy or referrals. You can do it by just mild disinterest rather than taking the time to find the right meds or specialist care.

Coercion is a massive issue here.

Im also mindful that there is a real political / cultural divide along generational divides at the moment.

In theory there is a risk when the demographics tip a little more, that this will see a shift towards euthanasia without proper safeguards because of younger generations having a poor attitude to older ones.

Full offence - fuck off ?

these r nowhere near the same or even similar issues. I cannot stand reading ppl who say I think abortion is wrong, I’d never have one etc BUT…. But nothing. Maybe uv been lucky enough to never be in that position and until u r just be quiet

We need Futurama style suicide booths. Feeling down? In you go, insert coin, quick jab and that's it, all your problems gone.

Can’t get my head around abortion (for myself) it horrifies me and I know it’s not something I could live with but I think it should be available for people with different opinions. Euthanasia I think is the opposite, the person can consent and it is preventing misery and pain, it should absolutely be legal. I personally think abortion is worse.

I would support Euthanasia under strict guidelines.

My Gran died of cancer, it was terminal and it was a horrible painful death and that would have been much better for her and something she would have wanted.

My Mum on the other hand would have had it, she suffers from severe depression but now it's under control and not something she'd want but at one point in her life would have gone ahead with it.

The right to die will soon be legal. I reckon within the next 5 years, then with loosened access after 10, similar to the American system in some states.

The videos on youtube of those choosing to die, peacefully, in their own homes, surrounded by loved ones, are heart breakingly beautiful.

Completely agree that people should have the right to die. It's something I've believed for years. A drawn out death is harrowing and horrific. DP and I have always agreed when it comes to our animals that we would not allow them to suffer needlessly when the time comes and would have them put to sleep if it is in their best interests. The same should apply to humans who are capable of consenting to it.

No jt should not be legal it js murder plain and simple God is the oldest one who should control when a person is born and when a person dies to make ut legal is playing God

Euthanasia wont be anything to do with age. It will have qualifying criteria such as terminal illness with a short and painful prognosis for their remaining life expectancy. Allowing them choice, dignity and respect.

It will be something for those already at end of life or with severely life limiting illness where they would be in extreme suffering by continuing their life.

It will have a blanket refusal for those solely with mental health illnesses.

Your god is irrelevant and laws should not be based on the concept of a deity who has not in any way been proven to exist.

So, if someone is murdered or gets run over by a car, then that's God's decision? But if a foetus is aborted, then that's not God's decision?

Why do God's powers go AWOL the moment a women exercises agency?