MPs vote in favour of assisted dying bill

[Chris152]

I think it is a strange juxtaposition, that a secular society that, in living memory, has quite rightly come to the conclusion that the state has no right to execute murderers; should now be countenancing killing some of its sick.

Surely, the point is that nobody is killing anyone, but rather under certain extreme circumstances we have the option to take our own lives.
I'd hope never to have to use it, but knowing the option is there would help, even if I didn't use it.

 

[Terry - Somerset]

I think it is a strange juxtaposition, that a secular society that, in living memory, has quite rightly come to the conclusion that the state has no right to execute murderers; should now be countenancing killing some of its sick.

I fully support the need for informed consent of the dying, the opinion of two doctors and endorsement by a judge.

That some or many would prefer that nature takes its course is a personal choice to be respected.

It is a completely unacceptable arrogance for those who do not support the proposed legislation to impose their views upon others who would make the legitimate and justified personal choice to minimise pain, suffering and indignity in their final weeks or months.

 

[ey_tony]

Im very sorry to hear that Tony, 54 is no age.

I appreciate the ideological concerns from those who oppose it but I feel we should absolutely listen to people such as Tony who have experienced first hand the horrors of an undignified death.


An 'end of life' nurse' is an eminently qualified person on this:



I think it is good the bill passed but I want to see it properly debated and considered before it passes into law.

something that is good in principle can be bad in practice if the mechanisms make it unworkable............we cant have people choosing to have an assisted death only to spend their last few months having endless legal arguments. Nor can we have the possibility that people feel they have to choose it because they feel they are a burden.

Robin I fully agree with you and I think we are both rightly concerned about it being fully debated before it is passed into law.

My primary concern is the safeguarding issue where people could be coerced into ending their lives prematurely for the expediency of others or even the state having not explored all other avenues but I see no reason to prevent it being passed into law by those opposed to the idea providing the safeguards have been met.

The objectors are entitled to be against assisted dying and there is no obligation for them to participate but whatever grounds they may have of disagreeing, if the safeguards have been met then from my experience of watching people suffer at the end of their lives, then the views of those against assisted dying are trumped by the people who matter most and who are able to make a coherent judgement that they want to have their lives end without pain and with dignity. From personal experience it's highly distressing to watch your loved ones slowly wither and die in agony when their lives could have ended more serenely and peacefully.

My late wife was a stunningly beautiful woman, everyone thought so too and not just me and I always thought I was punching above my weight when I married her but to see what she looked like on her deathbed still haunts me. I saw at first hand the horrible lingering death such a beautiful woman suffered and the worst part is I couldn't help her...no one could and if assisted dying had been available back then, it could have at least spared her pain and suffering she did not deserve and she could have died more peacefully.

 

[niall Y]

Surely, the point is that nobody is killing anyone, but rather under certain extreme circumstances we have the option to take our own lives.
I'd hope never to have to use it, but knowing the option is there would help, even if I didn't use it.

It was really just an observation, rather than me wanting to come down on any one side or the other.

With suicide the reasons are always going to be extreme enough for it to be carried out But the mitigating factor there will be that no one else is involved.

Where a person wishes to die, but is incapable of doing it themselves is where the morality of the situation starts to get blurred. In such a case it could be termed a "mercy killing" but it will be a killing. none the less.

 

[Lons]

With suicide the reasons are always going to be extreme enough for it to be carried out But the mitigating factor there will be that no one else is involved.

It's not as simple as that unfortunately as there are many reasons for suicide and many in any case are a cry for help which by the time they get it is too late and the person has died. There are nearly always other people involved and very often family, friends and medical staff can feel very guilty that they weren't aware, didn't listen or failed to act in time. The only person who doesn't suffer after the event is the person who has died.

Hopefully all the relevant safeguards will be firmly in place by the time it becomes law.