http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/01/terry-pratchett-alzheimer-assisted-suicide
particularly interesting comments below:
Pollittprefectrecord:
This is right, of course, and no one who reads it is going to disagree. I have two points I would like to bring up, however. The first is the issue of when "the disease takes over." That must be a ghastly decision. As long as Mr Pratchett (or anyone else in his position) is able to say that the moment has arrived, he will inevitably wish for another day, another hour of life to enjoy all that is good. When he no longer enjoys those things, the ability to make the decision may have passed. Second, while I appreciate the good sense of the safeguards considered here, I would hate to see the situation become so bureaucratic that a sufferer faces the prospect of spending his or her last few months talking to lawyers and panels. This system would have to be set up to favour the patient at every turn and to speed the decision (not the death itself) as much as possible.
IsleofJesus:
This tribunal idea is great.
Apart from the ageism.
Being over or under 45 has no bearing on how wise you are. I know completely irrational older people, so irrational that they will fight your right to die, tooth and nail, in the face of overwhelming distress.
I'm 21 years short of the stipulated age for wisdom. So don't mind me, I'll go back to poking my friends on Facebook like an idiot.
No comments:
Post a Comment