Euthanasia

The euthanasia debate can be very hostile, with all participants usually being very polar in their thoughts and uncompromising. The recent words from experts saying their is a "strong case" for allowing assisted suicide had refuelled a already raging debate. The main argument for is: it is peoples own choice which they should, in a democratic state, be able to make. In addition that people should be allowed to die in dignity rather than suffer in life. Although those such Dr Peter Saunders, campaign director of Care Not Killing states the investigation was "biased" and "seriously flawed." Saunders may have a point as the investigation was payed for by promoters of chance to legalise assisted suicide.

He also states how the "BMA believes the majority of doctors do not want assisted suicide legalised." This seems logically as people begin a career in medicine to try to save lives not end them. Members of the group further believe that the proposed/recommended criteria: if a person was over 18, terminally ill and judged as having less than 12 months to live, making a voluntary choice and not impaired mentally were unlikely to remain and that a we may be heading down a slippery slope. In addition, numerous anecdotes stating how patients, independently assessed by more than 1 Doctor, concluded a patient had only a few months to live and then lived for years after. Putting doubt to the integrity of the criteria.

Even with all this evidence i still, personally, believe people should retain the ability to terminate their own life if they so wish. As who are we to control the life of someone who no longer wishes to live it. They would have thought very long and hard about the consequences and critically appraised their situation, quality of life and concluded that they no longer wanted to live in humiliation but rather die in dignity. If we can provide a dignified death we should. It may even be the most considerate thing to do.