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

[Freshton]

A relative is currently dying a slow and horrible death from terminal cancer. In palliative phase and last few days now as can't swallow or take any liquids.

It's truly opened my eyes. I had no idea how medieval things were still when it comes to death. I've been truly horrified at what people are expected to endure in their final weeks and what their relatives have to witness.

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.

I've never been much in favour of assisted dying as not had to think about it but after seeing what I've seen, I really hope something can change. I'll be haunted for the rest of my life by what I've seen in last few weeks.

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.

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.

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.

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

I would hope there would be safeguards against that.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

@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?

Tried to ignore it

@Thechaseison71
That’s shocking. How did you finally make them to carry out your dm’s wishes?

I'm not sure what my brother finally said to them. But it worked Didn't help it was COVID times ( which mum didn't have ,) and we were not allowed in

How credible is it that life is really that worthwhile for people when they are nil by mouth and barely conscious, waiting to die (which is where my grandma was - dementia eventually stops you swallowing so you have to starve to death). Obviously, people might want to wait for nature to take its course for their own reasons, religious or otherwise, but surely people should be able to elect to receive an amount of pain relief sufficient to help them slip away quicker if needed at the same time as electing for a DNR or similar? Surely if doctors are removing a feeding tube or drip etc, then they are letting that person die anyway, the question is just what sort of death they have.

This is an outright lie.

Assisted dying is carried out in a number of countries using drugs and it gives a clean exit.

"Death cannot be made dignified" is just ridiculous. It's very possible to bring a dignified death by medical mens in contrast to some deaths, where the person exits in huge pain and distress.

Whatever your reason for opposing assisted dying, lying like this is deceitful and wrong.

So sorry for what you are going through. It’s horrible! I lost my mum from cancer when I was 24yo. So difficult. The doctors asked me brutal questions like “ would you like to keep giving food through drip to your mother or expedite death”. Horrific! The patient cannot obviously decide for themselves and the weight they put to the relatives is brutal. What do you answer to that?!?! The mother of a friend of mine decided to go to Switzerland for assisted death as she knew it was coming.

Mostly, but not always. There are documented cases where death has not been quick and painless, 47 in Canada alone.

I think that many people, possibly even most, agreed with assisted dying in principle. But there are major ethical concerns. For starters:
Abuse of system by families or carers
Deciding what illnesses or conditions you rule in or out
Rules can become overly permissive. Canada is a good example of this
Inclusion of mental health conditions would likely lead to further deterioration of already woeful mental health care in the UK.

So while I agree wholeheartedly that assisted dying is the way to go, at least for terminally ill people, the debate needs to be considered, wide-reaching and careful.

I agree, my poor dad died in hospital on a dementia ward. The last few weeks of his life were so sad. Last year my cat and dog were both put to sleep and died peacefully in my arms and I wished then that humans could have the same dignity.

Murdered. 🤣🤣🤣

You haven't answered the question. Why do you think you should have a choice over how you die but I don't have a choice over how I die?

Because allowing you that choice makes other people less safe.