Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia - what are your opinions?

I personally think that we should all have the right to end our life when we feel the time is right, subject to some very stringent rules of course! Don't want Granny being put down just because we have run out of money and were looking to inherit!! However, if the pain and suffering endured is such that it would be a relief to all concerned, then why not?

The very brave couple, an American lady and her husband who allowed his suicide to be filmed in a clinic in Switzerland a couple of years ago, that was shown on Sky television last night (albeit I didn't want to watch it) are surely responsible leaders in this frail world in which we live. We are of course still debating it because it was a pretty controversial thing to show and yet do, but without discussion where would we be anyhow?

I did hear that Scotland was considering making it legal, has anybody else heard that?   

Oh gosh! Ron! This is a hard one for sure.

All my feelings about life cry against someone ending it no matter how hard the suffering. But then I knew a gentleman who suffered for a long time with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. What an awful way to die, and that alone would make me think seriously about this subject.

I really don't know where I sit on this one, leaning more toward the fact that it shouldn't be allowed I guess.

This really is a hard one!

I am not sure how I feel about it! One side of me thinks that you should let "nature" take its course but then again if a person is suffering so badly and truly wants to do it, then do you, as a family member have any right to say "yes" or "no"? 

And also, how can anyone be sure that the patient who wanted it done was in their right mind and the decision was not made for them?!  Also, what if the patient wants to do it but the family members refuse? There are so many different things to consider!

I just hope and pray that none of us will ever have to be faced with a decision like that!

I agree with Lyn B. Two of our members had cats put down for humane reasons, why cant we as adults make that choice? Most of our doctors and law makers decisions are based on religion. In the past,if you tried to kill yourself and survived,you went to prison because it was a crime. Against who? GOD. If you died,you were excomunicated and went to hell. Well at least it would be warm there.

Dont get me wrong,suicide to me is a cowards way out,but if I was in that much pain I would be the first in line.The modern way,overseen by doctors,is a good thing. No pain, just go to sleep and never wake up. So I think I must be on the yes side ofthe argument. I saw that program last night and he just drifted of quietly and painlessly,and more to the point, with dignity. So much better than going out screaming in agony.

I want to address your comment first, Sue, because I think it's a valid point that you make. However, at the same time, I remember when I made the choice to end Merlin's life. I remember well those last few days; he was hiding under the bed and would not come out, he would not eat, or drink, nor could anything I'd do induce him to move.  He knew he was dying and with the instinct of animals he had crawled into a space and was waiting on death.

Now, you can say that I am just trying to ease my own conscience, but I really do believe that this behavior was his signal to me that he was ready to die. Not in the same conscious way that a human being would make the decision of course, but a clear signal that he was ready to go, none-the-less.

To hang on to him at that point would have served no purpose except to extend his suffering needlessly.

I agree with everyone that this is a hard topic to vote upon. However, I have to say that in the end, I believe that who we are is not a body, but a soul that has a body. When the body is clearly beyond saving, I think it should be the choice of the soul inhabiting that body to discard it if they wish.

Having said that, like Ron, I too believe that the decision would have to be governed by some very stringent rules.

As a christian it is something i could never agree with  .

First let me mention that I am not saying I disagree with putting your animals down, I was just stating a point. 

We had dogs growing up and I still remember how sick Butch was with cancer, and we had him put down which I considered a blessing to both dog and master.

As for human euthanasia, I'm really in two minds. I guess if I am faced with that decision then I would have to make up my mind, until then I think I'll keep an open mind.