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In other words, you have about three and a half day from post time


That's nearly double the 2 day time limit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> I might have died off by then.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evilgrin1.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

To the topic (which is certainly worth the time, if you can get enough input <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ...

I'd agree with Plowking about the first case. Losing a leg does seem more like a case for counselling and support rather than an assisted suicide.

In the case of the braindead person it usually boils down to a case of deciding to turn off life support machinery and let "nature take its course" rather than administering a lethal dose. But there are cases where bodies that are (by all useful definitions) already braindead, yet still survive on and on... In these cases I would support ending the life, with family consent.

Much of the arguing here centres around what's called "Euthanasia" or assisted suicide. The legal and ethical debate centres around the "assisted" part. It's hard to stop a determined person from committing suicide, but anybody who helps by providing drugs or equipment can often still be charged with murder.

The usual reasons for Euthanasia involve people suffering from painful diseases that they will die of anyway, or people who wish to cut short a period of degenerating into dementia and a degrading and miserable end.

Most cases are pretty clear cut and it's not hard to say that they should be allowed to die with a little bit of dignity left in a manner of their own choosing. However, it can be very hard to legislate for. Apart from various religious objections, there are practical difficulties. Some of these centre around old people whose minds are 'going' and the difficulty of deciding what their 'will' really is. Is it their choice, or have they been unduly pushed by relatives who would like to see the back of them? Is the person really in a fit state to make a clear decision, etc.

My great grandmother lived into her mid 90s and was bedridden and useless for some of her last years. A religious woman, she would ask "why doesn't Jesus come and take me?". Apparently the local doctor eventually 'helped her over the line'. But that was around 50 years ago in a small village.

I'm used to the idea of death and I've had 3 close brushes. Once in a bad car crash at age 17, and 2 more recently from life threatening medical problems that were eventually fixed by surgery. But I'm not that far off 60, so I certainly have a big percentage of my life already behind me. And many of my friends have died already, plus all my grandparents (and those of my wife) and both sets of our parents.

Above all I support choice. As long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of other citizens I can't see any reason not to allow people some choice about the manner of their own death. If I get to the stage where my life no longer seems worthwhile or bearable, I certainly hope that the law will allow, or at least turn a blind eye, to my having the opportunity to die with some assistance.

I'd rather not wait for the Grim Reaper. I'm hoping to be able to say goodbye with the help of his brother the Cheerful Reaper. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />