Euthanasia Debate.

What are your thoughts on legalising euthanasia?

[takersbabe]

i think its a good idea gives people who are terminally ill a choice.

[Col.Kurtz]

I think it would have to be up to the individual concerned, wouldn't want it to get to a situation where greedy relatives pressure thier elderly parents into it though - very dodgy ground.
I know I wouldn't want to be in some kind of vegetative state, waiting to die.

[janet]

I think it's a good idea. I would like to be able to make that choice for myself.Would be a good idea to have a register for people to make there wishes known. I am already on the organ donor register.

[wayneyboy1942]

I agree it is a good idea but,and it's a big one,would hospitals put pressure on people to hurry up and snuff it,would the person be made to feel in the way? If you watch films like Solent green and Logans run you will know what I mean,we will all grow old and infirm one day and choice is onething but would it end up being forced death? :(

There would have to be stringent controls, and only for cases where the patients life was limited. I think it's cruel to prolong a terminally ill persons life, and effectively watching them die a painful death when it could be made simpler.

For example they'd have to have more than one or two opinions and view each case extremely thoroughly, involving the patients close family etc. If someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness they should be given the choice to sign something to state they wish all treatment to stop and their life be no longer prolonged and opt for a treatment which will end their life.

[ollie]

My Gran died slowly and horribly, the last time I saw her alive was in a "care" home propped up in a wheelchair with an incontinant bag overflowing over her legs, having been discharged from Burnley General months earlier where she had been for twelve months, kept alive with pureed food and sips of water, if I had the choice then (twelve years ago) I would have had no hesitation in letting her leave this world with some dignity

How awful that must have been for all involved Ollie. It's sad that we have to let our loved ones suffer like that when we're given the choice to have our pets put to sleep to save them from dying so inhumanely.

[Darkstar]

I definately believe in voluntary euthenasia, it would give terminally ill people a chance to die with some dignity. Nobody wants to be a burden to their family, if i was in that position i would want to die.

[star]

For me this is a hard one being pro-life. I know there are lots of people in situations where they would rather die than carry on living the life they lead but for me it would definately have to be the patient or person who makes the decision and I think there would have to be some law that makes it illegal for friends n relatives to have any kind of influence over that decision otherwise there would undoubtedly be loads of people pressurised into dying from probably people who have financial gains by that persons death...when it comes down to it people are greedy and have no concern for others feelings when it comes to something they want for themselves...sorry if that sounds a bit harsh but it is a very confusing subject and probably a treading the fine line one....

Star