Well done Canada.
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
June 18, 2016 3:09pm CST
I read on the BBC news that Canada has agreed to pass a law today for assisted suicide. I believe it is the right thing to do particularly when someone is terminally ill and in permanent or unrelenting pain.
There are many arguments for and against it from religious and moral grounds. Having observed many deaths over the years it makes you wonder not only about your own death and how you wish to die. I for one know that they only possible way of doing that in the UK is to travel to Switzerland to a clinic that carries out Euthanasia.
It seems ridiculous that we can be prosecuted if we let an animal suffer or be in pain and yet despite the best efforts of hospice and palliative care there are still some people who die painful deaths and without dignity.
Take for example someone with Motor neuron disease they are going to eventually deteriorate to such a point where they are not able to do anything for themselves but are fully aware of their surroundings until the suffocate to death. I do not know if you think this is a kind way of dying because I certainly do not. I would like the option too of being able to make that decision. I feel it is my right to make that decision and would wholeheartedly back someone who makes that decision in deciding when the time is right.
I think as soon as you have received a diagnosis of a terminal illness you should make your wishes known about your expectations of your end of life and what it is YOU want to happen and not leave it to others to make those choices for you.
Of course there are safeguards so that people should never be pressurised into making that decision or being made to feel they are a burden on their family. It should be up to that person to know when the time is right for them.
What are your thoughts?
26 people like this
22 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Jun 16
Euthanasia has to be a last resort and should be considered only in cases of patients who are suffering, but we must respect their right to end their own misery.
The usual objection to euthanasia is by so called Christians who claim it as a sin in the eyes of God. What right have these people to insist that others should suffer for years just to satisfy their beliefs? If that is Christianity then I shall remain an atheist.
5 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 16
I Agree with what you are saying., One should not force their beliefs on those who do not believe. There is no reason why anyone should suffer unnecessarily.
5 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Jun 16
@ElizabethWallace There are very few real Christians. Too many people go to church every Sunday but forget morality for the remaining 6 days.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
19 Jun 16
This is not Christianity as I interpret the Bible. People who are pushy are not real Christians, as Jesus would never force His beliefs on someone else.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Jun 16
I agree with Canada's new law. If a person if terminal and hopeless and it's their wish....so be it.
5 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 16
Absolutely. Just time to get your house in order then when you are ready time to say your good byes and off you toddle to somewhere nicer!
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
Absolutely it is very cruel to keep someone alive when they are suffering uncontrollable pain, discomfort and distress.
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
20 Jun 16
@garymarsh6
How do you know they're toddling off to a nicer place?
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
18 Jun 16
I think it makes sense. I am sure 2 people my mom and my late hubby did not want to die as they did. they were proud of appearance and was in terrible shape after suffering so long. and the people left behind have to live with the guilt of wishing their suffering over besides the grief they are going through. I am so afraid the same will happen to me. so yes we should have a dignity choice
4 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 16
I sincerely hope that does not happen to you and you will be able to make a choice too!
2 people like this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
19 Jun 16
I am kinda on the fence with this issue @garymarsh6
3 people like this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
19 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 I understand your point and it does sound reasonable. I just hope and pray neither one of us gets thrown into that situation. I do have to make a living will that states that in the case of me having to live on life support, I want to be taken off. I do not want to live like a vegetable, that's NOT living.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
@gr8nana6 Yes Maria and that is all it takes but you must make sure your family are aware of it just in case they tell the Doctors otherwise.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
It is not an easy choice to make but if you were in unbearable and untreatable pain and prolonging your life just because we can does not mean it is right. That choice should be available to the person. I have already decided that I would buy a one way ticket to Switzerland where it is possible to do this if I had a terminal illness and was suffering. It is an individuals choice which I am sure they have not made without much thought.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
I respect your opinion however that is your personal choice and not for you to decide the fate of others That is their choice and theirs alone.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26199)
• Singapore
19 Jun 16
When I cross the line in terms of suffering I can bear, I would like to leave of my own accord.
Like my father did, I would refuse medicine when my life has "no more quality to it" as he put it.
My father was himself a doctor and his student suggested to us that "let us not torture him by trying to cure the disease but manage it for smooth transition".
With regard to religious beliefs we can soothe ourselves, and those that matter, with a take it serves nobody's interests when only unbearable physical suffering is left in this world - siva
3 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
@cacay1 The option should be available if that person decides they have had enough and the future is futile especially if they are in terrible pain.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
@Shiva49 I believe that there is little point and it is cruel to keep people artificially alive if they are in unretractable pain, discomfort and distress. It is kinder to let them go if they so wish.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (158953)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Jun 16
I think it is a good thing. To have this option could really help a person in their last days. Canada seems to have a good head on.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (158953)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 .....And it is wonderful to have options at a time like that.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
I am in the pro camp like you. It is wrong to keep someone lingering in pain, discomfort and distress..
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
25 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 The best is for the living to make their wishes known in a live video and witness by a few independent parties.
In this case, nobody can "murder" a dying person.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
25 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 As long as a government agency is in charge, and the video is made in the presence of the representatives, and keep in record, there is no need to view them unless someone challenges the decision in a court.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 16
It is wise but I guess we have to respect those who do not wish to go down this route and as long as safeguards so that people do not feel they are pressurised into doing it then that is even better.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16531)
• China
19 Jun 16
I agree with you.I think mercy killing is the best way to be release for one who is terminally ill with terrible pain and for which there is no certain cure in the current medical conditions.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16531)
• China
20 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 Yes,now that they have poor quality of life and to live is no better than to die,why don't let them go on the basis of their own accord.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
Thank you. I think it is kinder and more humane to let people go when they feel they have had enough and they can no longer cope with the suffering.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
This is a sensible option. Make sure you have it in writing in a living will.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
19 Jun 16
I haven't seen a newspaper or heard any news but knew it was going to happen. I am all for it. I hope it stays. Here in Canada they have been talking about it for a long time, I've always wondered why it was not allowed, it's a kinder and gentler way to die .
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
Yes but here in the UK you would be prosecuted for leaving an animal in distress or pain but it is ok to let a human suffer in agony. Where is the sense in that it is moronic and morally wrong on so many counts.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
19 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 I agree with you 100 percent. It was a government official who wrote a letter to the government when he was dying that started this whole thing.. If he hadn't written it we would still be kinder to our pets than we are to humans.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40053)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Jun 16
Today we keep many people alive an unnatural length of time, simply because we can. Often they are in pain. If someone wants to put an end to it, I think they have that right. I am glad that Canada has made that decision. California just passed a similar law.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
I believe there are four or five states in the USA who also have such a law. Only a few countries in Europe allow this. Holland is quite progressive in this area.
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
19 Jun 16
I think anyone who is in terrible pain or has a terminal illness should have the right to end their life when they choose. Some hospitals will keep terminal patients hooked up to life support when there is no possible hope. That is horrible.
3 people like this
@Meramar (2695)
•
20 Jun 16
I was pleased to read your discussion. Euthanasia is a theme and an endless discussion. There are many different ways of view and it isn't easy to take a decision. It always depends of the position of each. If you have a child suffering an illness and decides to finish with his or her life, do you still would agree? It is a retoric question to think a bit more about it. Actually, I am writing a book about euthanasia.
1 person likes this
@Meramar (2695)
•
20 Jun 16
@garymarsh6 Thank you, any information is very helpfull.
1 person likes this
@Cherganski (219)
•
19 Jun 16
Comletely agree with your viewpoints mate. l find it ridiculous that backwards old fashioned thinking is holding us back from adopting something like this.
I think most people when faced with the choice to be in terrible pain in their last moments or die with dignity would go for the latter.
l have yet to see a solid argument against it.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
You are absolutely spot on there. Thank you!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
21 Jun 16
I agree with you that it is the right of the individual but as much as I might want to I could not help the person to do it, I will respect their right to chose it but they must respect my right not to assist. I would never try to force my belief on anyone else. It is a moral issue that has many ramifications but to be doomed to suffer is a horrible way to die. I make no judgements, I leave that to God.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
21 Jun 16
It is a very emotive subject and one not to take lightly. It is down to the individual to make!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
20 Jun 16
It should be left for each person to make their own choice.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
20 Jun 16
For those who request assistance with some added safeguards.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 16
You are sensible. Although it is tough for those being left behind if you have the conversation when you are well they will be in no uncertain terms your wishes if the time does come! Hopefully it won't for you!
1 person likes this
