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Posted: 21-01-2003 14:04 Post subject: Euthanasia

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2678413.stm

Posted: 21-01-2003 14:26 Post subject:

Regarding your Poll, what's the difference between the answer 'yes' and the answer 'in some cases'?

Surely the very definition of Euthanasia limits it to 'in some cases', otherwise it would be classified as murder...

Posted: 21-01-2003 14:34 Post subject:

Aye, the more I think about it the more I understand. 'Yes' would mean anybody who asked to be killed, could be. 'In some cases' would mean anyone who asked to be killed would have to get the OK from a panel of experts, or something...

I guess I was thinking about 'voluntary euthanasia', rather than cases where people were in vegetitve states etc., whereby someone other than the person dying would have to make the decision.

Posted: 21-01-2003 14:35 Post subject:

Posted: 22-01-2003 14:22 Post subject:

The way the law stands just now is untenable ibn the long run:

If a person aids a loved one to comit suicide then they WILL be investigated for posible criminal prosicution and even if they are not convicted of murder they stil have to face the investigation and probible cort case on top of the guilt over the act itself.

This is just pian silly and benefits noone: neither the individual being prosicuted or the state that pais for a case to be brought to court wich will in all probibility not lead to a conviction or eals lead to a lenient sentance.

Legalisation(with proper safeguards) is the only way forward.

Posted: 22-01-2003 16:14 Post subject:

I voted yes, but I understand why people are against it. The scariest thing is the idea that old people will just be bumped off because the young people don't want to have to deal with them.

I don't think this will happen, myself. A scarier thought is being terminally ill with no quality of life, and being made to sit and wait in pain until my organs give out.

There would have to be very careful legislation to stop scenarios like the first one above from happening.

I also agree with the device that an Australian doctor developed, to help people kill themselves. This would keep relatives from being held responsible, as long as the afflicted had the ability to operate the device.

It could provide some dignity for people who are terminally ill, and a less messy way out for those who don't want to live anymore.

Yes, life is precious, but to be honest we're way overpopulated already. I personally think keeping people alive longer than would be natural for them by using medicine is badly wrong, and so is using fertility treatment to make more babies, when we already have too many and there are thousands without parents in childrens homes.

Bit controversial, that, wasn't it.

Posted: 22-01-2003 16:20 Post subject:

Posted: 22-01-2003 17:24 Post subject:

Update:

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/01/22/nbul22.xml&sSheet=/news/2003/01/22/ixhome.html#2

News in brief
(Filed: 22/01/2003)

MoD wants French firm to build aircraft carriers
£90,000 row Tory to quit
Police to question suicide wife
Rosemary West wedding off
Gainsborough fund raiser
Britain tries US crime idea

MoD wants French firm to build aircraft carriers

The MoD has recommended to ministers that the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers should be built by a French firm rather than BAE Systems, the British company, defence sources confirmed yesterday.

The move follows talks between French and British ministers over the possibility of the French Navy taking the same type of aircraft carriers as those ordered for the Royal Navy.

Although the MoD has resisted any overt agreement with its French counterpart, the prospect of the French Navy buying the same type of carriers later will cut costs and provide much greater flexibility in joint operations.

Jack Dromey, of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said: "Ministers should buy British, boosting the Scottish shipyards. No French Government would ever buy British aircraft carriers."

17 October 2002: MoD looks at carrier deal with French

£90,000 row Tory to quit

Michael Trend, the Tory MP for Windsor who was forced to repay £90,000 to the Commons last month for claiming an allowance to which he was not entitled, will stand down at the next election.

The party's former deputy chairman, aged 50, told his constituency association yesterday that he wanted to pursue other interests.

20 Dcember 2002: Tory MP repays £90,000

Police to question suicide wife

The widow of a terminally ill man who died in an assisted suicide is to be questioned about her role in his death, police said yesterday.

Win Crew, 71, accompanied her husband Reginald, 74, who had motor neurone disease, from their home in Liverpool to Zurich where he died on Monday after taking a fatal dose of barbiturates. Merseyside police said they wanted to speak to Mrs Crew and her daughter, Jan, and were examining the possibility of a charge of aiding and abetting suicide.

Officers are also expected to question the producers of Granada Television's Tonight With Trevor McDonald who have been making a documentary about Mr Crew.

(and no, I don't read the Telegraph.)

Posted: 22-01-2003 21:47 Post subject:

OT I know but BAe Systems have made 700 people redundant in Cumbria. Hmph

Posted: 22-01-2003 22:29 Post subject:

People with terminal illnesses should be able to dictate whether or not they want to carry on to the bitter end and possibly have no quality of life at all . . . but any legalisation would have to be very carefully thought out to prevent, for example, unscrupulous relatives being able to have Granny bumped off in order to get their hands on her estate . . .

Carole

Posted: 22-01-2003 23:27 Post subject:

Posted: 22-01-2003 23:35 Post subject:

Beak you've got to include mentally whole and healthy not just physically.

Posted: 22-01-2003 23:38 Post subject:

I voted no. from a pesonal perspective I would rather be kept alive for as long as posible if i was terminal rather than spending my last few minites alive shitting myself that I knew i was going to die in the next few minites cos the doctor had just plonked some injection in my arm. If I had progeny then I also wouldn't want them watching dad/ grandad die, trying to keap a stiff upper lip as they watched the last ebbs of life drain away from my terrified and sad face.
But then thats my own personal opinion and judgeing from the results of the poll I'm weird roll eyes (sarcastic)

Posted: 22-01-2003 23:40 Post subject:

Can't see that makes any difference Caroline. Life is precious for many many disabled people, whether physically or mentally disabled or both.

Posted: 22-01-2003 23:47 Post subject:

Personally I agree Beakboo (note I would never attempt to insert an 'a') You know where I am on the mental disability front. I have relatives with physical disabilities and life is precious to all of us. I was just trying to point out that maybe James is coming from the mental health point of view.