Assisted suicides

[Maguire01]

Someone wakes up in a hospital paralysed, wishes they had to die, (and I'd imagine that's most people who find themselves in that sad situation) do we help him/her committ suicide?

Maybe we give them some time.

As i've said, i agree with these actions in principle, but acknowledge the difficulties in regulating this. Such a control could be ensuring people give sufficient time to think such decisions through.

[pintsofguinness]

Someone wakes up in a hospital paralysed, wishes they had to die, (and I'd imagine that's most people who find themselves in that sad situation) do we help him/her committ suicide?

Maybe we give them some time.

As i've said, i agree with these actions in principle, but acknowledge the difficulties in regulating this. Such a control could be ensuring people give sufficient time to think such decisions through.

"maybe we give them some time" -  is that what you'd put in the legislation?
It would be impossible to regulate something like this and that is why I'd be completely against it. 

this topic is impossible to debate unless you are put in or have been affected personally

Cop out again.  It's the people who are not emotionally involved who are in the best position to debate it.

[Maguire01]

Someone wakes up in a hospital paralysed, wishes they had to die, (and I'd imagine that's most people who find themselves in that sad situation) do we help him/her committ suicide?

Maybe we give them some time.

As i've said, i agree with these actions in principle, but acknowledge the difficulties in regulating this. Such a control could be ensuring people give sufficient time to think such decisions through.

"maybe we give them some time" -  is that what you'd put in the legislation?
It would be impossible to regulate something like this and that is why I'd be completely against it. 

I wasn't aware i was drafting legislation. A medical sign-off would be required following a number of assessments and maybe an appropriate time period. It would never be perfect, but neither is the current situation.

[FermGael]

this topic is impossible to debate unless you are put in or have been affected personally

Could not agree more Milltown.  Have seen first hand what the latter stages of Alzheimer's  can do.
It's very hard to see someone you know and love disintergrate in front of your eyes yet  very much be alive.
I would not want my family to have that burden.  Would rather leave with people remembering me with my dignity

[milltown row]

rubbish Guinness, so what your saying is drug addicts or reformed alcoholics dont make the best councilors who have  a proper insight into the trauma.

[pintsofguinness]

rubbish Guinness, so what your saying is drug addicts or reformed alcoholics dont make the best councilors who have  a proper insight into the trauma.

That's very different, they are using their experience of something to help others they aren't emotionally involved.

Ferm

I wasn't aware i was drafting legislation. A medical sign-off would be required following a number of assessments and maybe an appropriate time period. It would never be perfect, but neither is the current situation.

At least the current situation tries to stop people from killing others.
It's a bit like the death penalty - I'm against it, not for any love of rapists or murderers but because we could never be 100% sure that an innocent person wouldn't be put to death, in the same way I'd be against this because the risk of  someone being killed, or taking action to quickly that they'd regrett is too great.  I'm not sure how anyone would get a medical sign off, clearly if you want to diethere are some mental issues there. 

[Puckoon]

It's a bit like the death penalty - I'm against it, not for any love of rapists or murderers but because we could never be 100% sure that an innocent person wouldn't be put to death, in the same way I'd be against this because the risk of  someone being killed, or taking action to quickly that they'd regrett is too great.  I'm not sure how anyone would get a medical sign off, clearly if you want to diethere are some mental issues there. 

Considering that you are'nt around to regret it - I dont think that matters in the slightest.

How does wanting to die in a clearly agonising scenario suggest mental issues?

Just because you would want to live, doesnt mean that everyone else does.

Those who fit the criteria (i.e. terminal illness, chronic states) and have expressed a direct wish to do so - to the point where they are willing to say goodbye to friends and family, and then travel abroad to die - should be allowed to do so. Better than them starving themselves (Which realistically is the only suicide option for a quadrapalegic).

[Diet Coke]

No cop out....I just don't know how I'd react until something similar happened to me (hopefully never)

I don't understand this line of the agrument at all. 
If it happend to me or you? What has that got to do with anything?  Me or you doing what these people done wouldn't suddenly make it right.  I'd imagine if most people woke up in a hospital bed unable to move from the chest down they'd want to die too.  I'd say it's a common reaction but do we start killing them because it's their wish? Of course we f**king don't, we (or the professionals) help them adjust.  As i said earlier if someone is suffering from depression they might want to die but you wouldn't help them!

The fact is that these people, rather than help their son adjust to his injuries they took him to a clinic to die (and the comment about their daughters is very telling imo) I think they should be doing jail time!

Ok I would do the exact same as these parents if faced with the same circumstances.

[orangeman]

was at a funeral many years ago, young clubman who lost his life in a terrible accident at work. while standing their i met another clubman who 6 months previous was in a accident which left him paralysed from the neck down. his words that he said that day stay with me now.......

many years later, i'm sure he's not in that place, but i dont really know. wouldn't ask him. this topic is impossible to debate unless you are put in or have been affected personally

We can talk about it, but only those who have been affected can really say what it is like.

[pintsofguinness]

It's a bit like the death penalty - I'm against it, not for any love of rapists or murderers but because we could never be 100% sure that an innocent person wouldn't be put to death, in the same way I'd be against this because the risk of  someone being killed, or taking action to quickly that they'd regrett is too great.  I'm not sure how anyone would get a medical sign off, clearly if you want to diethere are some mental issues there. 

Considering that you are'nt around to regret it - I dont think that matters in the slightest.

How does wanting to die in a clearly agonising scenario suggest mental issues?

Just because you would want to live, doesnt mean that everyone else does.

Those who fit the criteria (i.e. terminal illness, chronic states) and have expressed a direct wish to do so - to the point where they are willing to say goodbye to friends and family, and then travel abroad to die - should be allowed to do so. Better than them starving themselves (Which realistically is the only suicide option for a quadrapalegic).

I think it's safe to assume he wasnt in a good state of mind puck, would you be?  I wouldn't want to live but that's irrelevant to what we're talking about.  Plenty of people express their wish to die yet they're treated for depression or other mental issues, not killed!

You boys are for euthanasia, right?

[bennydorano]

Everyone who has commented on this topic should make of point of watching the film 'The Sea Inside', a Spanish film on the very topic of assisted suicide.  Excellent film too.

I would very much be in favour of Assisted Suicides and Euthanaisia.  The only issue in my mind is the person concerned's state of mind, if they are fully aware of their choice, it's nobody else's business.

[Maguire01]

You boys are for euthanasia, right?

I am. I don't really see that this is much different.

[pintsofguinness]

You boys are for euthanasia, right?

I am. I don't really see that this is much different.

Exactly, it just shows taht you are happy enough to determine when someone's life isn't worth living.

[Maguire01]

I think it's safe to assume he wasnt in a good state of mind puck, would you be?  I wouldn't want to live but that's irrelevant to what we're talking about.  Plenty of people express their wish to die yet they're treated for depression or other mental issues, not killed!

I think we need to draw the distinction between a 'good state of mind' and 'of sound mind' - if there is any distinction to be made. What i mean is that this guy could be thinking very clearly and know exactly what he wants (i.e. of sound mind). However, due to his circumstances, he may never be in a good state of mind again - that doesn't necessarily mean he's unfit to make decisions.

[Maguire01]

You boys are for euthanasia, right?

I am. I don't really see that this is much different.

Exactly, it just shows taht you are happy enough to determine when someone's life isn't worth living.

I'm happy for them to determine when their life isn't worth living. I'm happy to make it known to my family when i think my life isn't worth living. I don't propose to enforce my choice on others - i just think everyone should have the opportunity to determine their own destiny.