Assisted Dying

Would you want to go out on your own term or let nature take its course?

I wonder how a poll would do on this topic. No brainer for me. I don't want the last memory of me to be an emancipated blob, with no recollection or thought - effectively a brain dead zombie with a beating heart.
 
I think before we get too deep into assisted dying we should do a much better job on assisted living.

For myself, if and when the quality of my life becomes more like painful, living death both for myself and my loved ones, I would prefer to take an active rather than a passive role in my end of life.

Perry
 
I wonder how a poll would do on this topic. No brainer for me. I don't want the last memory of me to be an emancipated blob, with no recollection or thought - effectively a brain dead zombie with a beating heart.

No need for a poll, most Canadians want this.

But how about if someone isn't terminally ill and is tired of life and wants to check out? Must they suffer trying to kill themselves? Should a doctor not help them?
 
But how about if someone isn't terminally ill and is tired of life and wants to check out?
I do not think the government or the law has any business or legitimate right to interfere with such personal choices... except, perhaps, to ensure that the individual's choice is truly a voluntary and informed decision.

Did you know that suicide is the only conduct in which the attempt is criminal but commision is not?

Perry
 
It is true that most Canadians want this....

I think one of the issues is, though, that some seniors are afraid of going against their wishes. I am lead to believe in some European countries seniors don't want to visit a hospital for fear they wouldn't leave (alive). I understand this pole relates to people who can make the choice now, but I think the fear is it may evolve into someone else choosing.

My 2 cents.
 
I do not think the government or the law has any business or legitimate right to interfere with such personal choices... except, perhaps, to ensure that the individual's choice is truly a voluntary and informed decision.

Did you know that suicide is the only conduct in which the attempt is criminal but commision is not?

Perry

In Canada...I thought it was legal in Swizerland...
 
how about if someone isn't terminally ill and is tired of life and wants to check out?
I think there was a case in Belgium where a physically healthy but mentally ill person couldn't bear the pain of living and got assisted dying.
 
Good catch ... dehydrated blob ?? Is there a word reflecting a withered skin and bones ?

Yes there is a word and you were close, it's called emaciated.
Emaciated: abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
 
I do not think the government or the law has any business or legitimate right to interfere with such personal choices... except, perhaps, to ensure that the individual's choice is truly a voluntary and informed decision.

^This!!! Why we disallow the ultimate power over your own life is beyond me. I've heard all the arguments against legalization. Ignoring the dumbest one (that it's sinful), there are two major ones:

1) The elderly will be pressured by their relatives to kill themselves. I don't buy this. As long as a doctor is present informing her/him of what they are consenting to and making sure they understand, I don't see this being an issue.
2) Depression. This one's tricky because it does have some merit. Allowing depressed persons to end their life can have a major impact on families. That said, depression already has a major impact on families. It's an epidemic and we still don't adequately address it. But frankly, I believe that taking away a depressed person's right to die and forcing them to go through a living hell day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year...is just plain cruelty.
 
2) Depression. This one's tricky because it does have some merit. Allowing depressed persons to end their life can have a major impact on families. That said, depression already has a major impact on families. It's an epidemic and we still don't adequately address it. But frankly, I believe that taking away a depressed person's right to die and forcing them to go through a living hell day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year...is just plain cruelty.

Many suffer and some end up committing suicide. Smitherman's husband/wife, Taneesha Brown, Michael Wilson's son, Luke Richardson's daughter, 3 hockey players and so on.

Is it kinder to let them suffer and kill themselves and/or others?
 
you should be able to if you don't want to live, period. you weren't given the choice to be born but you should have the right to die, regardless.
 
Caring for old people is also a huge industry employing nurses, cooks, cleaners, etc. I think when I'm back in a diaper it;s time to go. Many people say they will end their life but I wonder how difficult the decision is when faced with it?
 
you should be able to if you don't want to live, period. you weren't given the choice to be born but you should have the right to die, regardless.

how do you prevent someone who wants to kill him/herself because they are broken hearted, depressed, owe money to people, are emotionally unstable, are manipulated by the family for inheritance to take their own life.
for the record, Euthanasia is a multi-billion dollar industry in Europe and people wait months to get into hospitals that conduct such procedure. not to mention that this will turn into a money making industry soon, if legalized.