Debbie purdy has just lost her case

[Idrankthechristmasspirits]

I think i agree with the courts on this one. I think it's one hell of a moral and legal minefield if it becomes legal to assist suicide.

Any thoughts?

"one persons living hell is anothers meaningful life. "

And one person's meaningful life, is another's living hell. Which is why they should be allowed to choose.

The courts are giving such mixed messages.

On one hand, the DPP didn't prosecute the parents of the young rugby player as it wasn't 'in public interest'. Of course this is right, but when clarification of the law is pursued, the courts retreat into 'policy is a legislative issue...'

Thing is, Riven, those without disabilities or terminal illness do not require assistance, they just do it.

Yes, I do believe they should. If that is what they really want. Assisted suicide is often the only option available to those with disabilities or terminal illness - why should they be denied the right to choose for themselves?

This is why I said I wasn't going to get drawn into the debate again. I firmly believe in a person's right to choose and nothing will change my view on that. I couldn't say whether I would take that route if I faced the choice but I will defend a person's right to make that choice for themselves. It is not a decision that should be made for someone else one way or another.

I do not, however, believe in euthanasia.

It might not be illegal to commit suicide now, but if it's suspected that you're planning to commit it, you will be detained under the mental health act, surely?

If we had a situation where someone who was disabled but wanted to end it was allowed someone to assist them to commit suicide, then the arguments for trying to stop anyone commiting suicide fall rather flat. The whole thing is entirely subjective, and therefore I can't see how it can be worked into a law.

Well as a physician, I have pretty big reservations about assisting suicide, just as I would, should I be practising in the states, about assisting in the enactment of the death penalty.

It is a pretty severe compromise of ones commitment to provide care, and ethically dubious, to be involved in deliberate taking of life.

IMO, our provision to the dying should be restricted to palliation.

So by all means discuss assisted suicide, but please avoid insisting on making us the agents of this.

rempy - what is palliation?

Is it withdrawal of water and food and increasing doses of pain killers until death occurs?

I think it is palliative care, whicih is care of the dying...something like McMillan (sp?) nurses and Hospice care, etc...
however, I might be wrong...

rempy, you might not be happy with the idea, but I'm sure other doctors would be Ok with it. Just like abortion - you don't have to help if it's against your beliefs.

indeed OldLady, a physician would of course have the right NOT to be involved, neither...