New Zealand has held a referendum on Euthanasia

If I am ever in terminal pain, I would hope that someone would be kind enough to assist me to die. I don’t believe that person should be penalised for it, or be worried about criminal action. It is inhumane to passively accept someone else’s suffering when we have the means to help them end it.

Euthanasia is not legal in Scandinavia. It is or was in the Netherlands were it has caused a lot of controversy since it became legal.

I am opposed to the idea, as I am afraid elderly people could be pressurized into choosing the option.

I do understand why a person with a terminal illness might want to end things themselves, but information on suicide is readily available, so I would honestly prefer them to take that option.

The medical profession should never have to actively end a life. It is one thing to stop treatment except pain-killers, something quite different morally and ethically to deliberately end a life.

Alexa

Aepgirl, if that is what you want you can always leave it to the doctor to decide when and how you die, just as it is at present.

However people of your opinion, and also a few religious fanatics in the House of Lords, should not be able to decide how and when I choose to die, as that is my business.

Both these paragraphs are confusing:

The first - at present how are doctors deciding when and how people die?

The second - no one is deciding how and when you die. If you want to kill yourself that is your choice; but why should you expect someone to assist you to do so?

Single people often have no one to speak up for them and they could be forced into signing documents or having documents signed without their permission.I am single, deaf and I have communication difficulties. I have had two consultations for hip replacement. One was awful, I felt as though I was on a conveyor belt. He was not interested in communication. I saw a different consultant this week who wanted to communicate with me as a real person.The operation will be done over Christmas
People with Downs syndrome are treated appallingly. I taught at a school where the swimming teacher was foul. I complained to the head, eventually I was given the swimming to teach
I do not shout, slap or force children to change quickly they cannot. As soon as a foetus is identified as Downs Syndrome. So much pressure is force to abort. It is a scary society. Where do you draw the line? Blind? Deaf? Old? Disabled Steven Hawkins?

It’s an emotive subject - but personally I would vote for it! My mum died during the summer, vascular dementia and cancer, we did hospice at home. It was heartbreaking the speed of the decline, she was in such pain and trying to get meds that worked for both conditions was tricky - she would have hated to have known how she ended up, always said shoot me if I get like that!! for me if I was in her position I choose euthanasia - not that I regretted looking after her it was an honour and I miss the her before the illness totally. (earlier this year my dog was in such pain and he was put down at the vets no problem !!- miss him too!) Every case should be taken on an individual basis but there are times when it is the kindest thing to do.

The idea that we have the right to choose - yes. A referendum in the present circumstances - definitely not.

I firmly believe in the right to choose - however, there need to be very strong safeguards in place. There is always the possibility that unscrupulous and impatient relatives could persuade (bully) an older person to agree to euthanasia.

There need to be especially strong safeguards for those people suffering with dementia.

Leeds, I applaud that doctor. However do please remember when taking a lethal dose, to take also some pill that will stop nausea.

A lot of the arguement against is that "we" are playing God. Isn't that what is happening when people are kept alive for the sake of being kept alive?

Aepgirl, if that is what you want you can always leave it to the doctor to decide when and how you die, just as it is at present.

However people of your opinion, and also a few religious fanatics in the House of Lords, should not be able to decide how and when I choose to die, as that is my business.

I would vote for it. My aunt was dying of cancer recently and the GP left her with enough morphine to take an overdose when it got too much, allowing her to die peacefully.

Oppsadaisy some States in Australia have legalised euthanasia. We do in Victoria but there are something like 63 (if my memory serves me correctly) criteria that must be met so it is not quite as simple as one may think.

I have been sending a monthly direct debit to Dignity in Dying for more than 25 years. I believe doctors' patients should have the right to choose when and how they die.

I do not do as my doctor or dentist says until I have thought about it and consented.

I think a law in favour of euthanasia could be so abused. There are always people who beat the system, no matter how many safeguards are in place.

I can see how it would be a blessing in so many situations, but it could also be a way of relatives getting what they want, not what is best.

For people saying they feel strongly in it - there is a website called dignityindying.org.uk which is worth a read. A few weeks ago it gave a link to ask people to get their MP to attend an online gov debate on it. I sent the supplied email to get a reply from mine saying he was already booked in for another debate.

Be careful what you wish for, especially in these times of pandemic.

The system would be about as fair and efficient as Track & Trace.

As Spangler said, the Liverpool Care Pathway was abused and miss-applied.

People often argue that we wouldn't let a dog suffer the way some humans suffer, but I always think a lot of dogs have been put down because they are inconvenient, that's why I'm unsure about euthanasia being made legal. However I do know that if myself or anyone I love was terminally ill and in terrible pain I would hope for a "cocktail" from a sympathetic doctor. I therefore think the regulations in NZ are something I would probably vote for.

I would vote for this choice and hope when my time comes that I will not have to suffer unduly or choose to travel to a n anonymous flat on Switzerland to die alone.
It gives hope and control to all to have the option to end what may be unbearable , Or not to choose, as the case may be.

I am so heartened to see that the majority of GNers on here are in favour of a change in the law - I hope it happens here (in the UK) before my turn comes!

I too would vote for it provided the regulations were clear, despite being a Christian. Is it Christian to let people suffer so?

I have often thought yes to euthenasia..

however as I have got older I do wonder if I would have the necessary to actually do it.

my dh and I have both lodged legal letters with our gp , not to resuscitate, or prolong life..

when he died, in hospital, last November, bit complicated, but though he had several "complaints" heart, copd etc, I was told he was coming home, then he died..

Hospital decided to have an investigation, ,very upsetting, but it turns out that they were merely investigating how they had dealt with his "unexpected" death, he was 84 for goodness sake, and had been in and out the hospitals for some time! Seems they had not followed some procedure, and the letter! lodged with GP had not been shown in their records... that upset me as much as anything, well not quite , but you know what I mean,, what is the point if they then ignore or don`t have all this stuff on the NHS computer! just sharing....

I live in NZ and we are so happy this new law passed, there are strict regulations around it and will be in the last 6 months of life, such a sensible law no one wants to see their loved ones suffer

Without going into any detail, both of my parents suffered terrible deaths and quite simply if I'd have allowed what occurred to them, to have happened to one of my pet's, I'd have been prosecuted.
The suffering they both experienced both physical and mental was horrendous.
There needs to be a well regulated system in place.

I have terminal bladder cancer and I have helped “Dying in Dignity” with their campaigns... its not euthanasia, its assisted dying!! Its not for everyone which is fine but we should have a choice when living with a terminal disease... my life, my choice! I have worked takin fb care of those who are dying with cancer and some deaths are not pain free and peaceful. Imagine how it would feel if every time you moved or someone touched you, you scream out in pain... you get to the point where you sleep a lot and rely on drugs to help the pain, it doesn’t take it all away... I never want to be in that situation, And why be sedated?? You aren’t goi not to wake up and jump out of bed, why can’t we choose?

MacCavity2 I am not afraid of pain, it is the loss of dignity that frightens me. Having seen my aunt go down that miserable path to dementia whilst still as fit as a fiddle I cannot understand how anyone thinks it is humane to allow that to happen to a loved one who has clearly expressed a wish to die if they ever reached that stage.