Should human euthanasia be legalised in the UK?

Kardan · 29-07-2009, 06:21 PM

Human euthanasia is where people end their lifes in a painless manner under their own wishes. It is currently illegal in the UK and many people go aborad as it is not illegal in some countries. One group you may have heard of is Dignitas, a group in Switzerland that deals with this.

Do you think it should be legalised? What are your views on it?

**GommeInc** · 29-07-2009, 06:29 PM

It's kinda hard what to think, it should only be done in exceptional cases where the person IS going to die soon AND painfully - not just let people kick their own bucket willy nilly. I don't really have a problem with it, but I'm guessing one reason the UK doesn't want to do it is because they don't want it on their own heads as sort of killing someone (not quite murder) and no-one really wants to do it.

Catzsy · 29-07-2009, 06:30 PM

My view is that if the person is of sound mind and has a terminal illness
then they should be able to do so. The old phrase 'they should horses don't they' comes to mind. I actually feel that animals are better treated in some ways and they are put out of their suffering. The person should do it themselves if capable but if they have some disability that prevents them from physically being able to do so then they should be able to get some sort of court order nominating somebody that would be willing so that they would not be prosecuted for it.

That's the only time as I see it would be acceptable or there could be terrrible abuse of the system.

**GommeInc** · 29-07-2009, 06:33 PM

Indeed, I agree

The actual practice is fine, why let a love one suffer or let yourself suffer? If the person has a sound state of mind and really won't be doing anything because of the pain or disability, then it should be their choice to relieve themselves (and their family, as some see it). Bringing in courts might be a good idea, so that only the special cases go through and the system won't be easily abused, and anyone assisting it can be let to go peacefully (which is the current problem at the moment? Where anyone helping gets in trouble).

RandomManJay · 29-07-2009, 06:56 PM

I have always agreed with the practice of euthanasia and the right to suicide and as Catzsy and GommeInc have said, as long as the person is capable of stable thought and comprehension they should have the right to have their life terminated through assistance due to their inability at the time or later on in the future. I also think that in certain circumstances that the family does deserve the right to appeal to termination of a life if the individual has progressed to the point at which maintaining their life it causing further harm and trauma for both the individual and the family, this could also be done under the individual's own wishes before their condition has negatively progresses. Although it is in the best interests of medical practitioners and even the general public to strive and maintain life for as long as possible, I strongly hold that it is the individual's right to terminate their own life with or without assistance and that right should be upheld at all times.

Wahey · 29-07-2009, 08:14 PM

Hell yeah, people should be able to decide they want to live or not, especially if they have an un-curable illness and nothing to live for.

**-:Undertaker:-** · 29-07-2009, 08:50 PM

Indeed it should be legalised, it is not up to a government to tell people how to live their lives - especially when they are potentially in severe pain and living a sub-standard life.